Katsina Council of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) have lamented the dearth of health workers in the 34 local government areas of the state.
The union, at its 6th delegates conference, summoned in Katsina to elect a new exco for the state council, the outgoing chairman of the union Comrade Mannir Muhammad Sulaiman said the dearth of health staff is seriously affecting healthcare delivery, especially in the rural areas.
Mannir said as matter of urgency, there’s need for the state government to recruit more health workers to cushion the gap in the health sector.
He said, “There is need to replace the already existing vacancies of the exit officers from the service in the unified Local governments.
“In this respect, we have records of more than 2,000 health professionals that have either retired or died from 2015 to date in the local governments service.”
The outgoing chairman hailed the State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda for a number of projects aimed at uplifting healthcare delivery in the state.
“We wish to commend the governor’s reform agenda in the health sector. This has significantly led to the rehabilitation of health infrastructure across the state.
“Among the things worthy to note is the establishment of the University of Health Science and Technology in Fumtua; Construction of Model Dialysis Centre, the first of It’s kind in Nigeria; Prompt payment of salary and gratuity to the families of the staffs who lost their lives in bandits attack,” he said.
Mannir, however, pleaded with the Governor to approve the establishment of a circular for the computation of retired local governments health professionals with consolidated salary structure (CONHESS) which is still not yet implemented among other demands.
In his acceptance speech after the election, the new chairman of the union Comrade Bashir Ibrahim Gyaza mentioned what he knew are the major challenges facing the health sector.
He said, “As we all know, the shortage of manpower is what is always affecting healthcare services; I am appealing to you comrades as good ambassadors to continue mobilising our teaming members at local government areas to redouble your efforts towards moving health care services to a higher level in our dear state.”
Other officials elected are Yusuf Ahmed Masanawa as the Vice Chairman, Sani Yusuf Saulawa as the Secretary and Aminu Musa Wambai as the treasurer.
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