The dearth of doctors and nurses has hit Katsina State health sector.

 

Lack of enough doctors and nurses to provide necessary services at various public hospitals and clinics has been identified as a major challenge facing health sector in the state.

Speaking on the issue yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Mannir Talba, said the state still faced the challenge of inadequate major health workers despite several attempts to recruit qualified personnel from the labour market.

 

Talba said the state was in need of doctors and nurses and that it would not take long process for applicants to be given appointment once they indicated interest to work in the state’s hospitals.

He, however, said the state government had commenced sponsoring of some of its indigenes to study medical-related courses at various universities within and outside the country.

 

The commissioner said: “As way of encouragement, students who gain admission into medical colleges in the country are given allowances equivalent to GL 06 during their pre-clinical period, with amount increased to that of a GL 07 during their clinical period. “Over 245 medical students and doctors from the state are currently undergoing various undergraduate and postgraduate training at medical institutions abroad.

 

“They will help improve on the existing number of doctors and nurses we have. Faculty of Medicine will also be established at the state university to provide manpower to our hospitals.” He, however, added that the state government had constructed a College of Nursing and Midwifery which would soon begin academic activities, even as he called on qualified health personnel who hailed from the state to join the services of the government.