The Bauchi State government has announced a new salary structure and enhanced welfare packages for medical doctors and health workers to address the ongoing exodus of healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities.
Barr. Muhammad Sani Umar, the State’s Head of Service, made the announcement during a press briefing following the recent State Executive Council (SEC) meeting chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed.
The council approved a comprehensive welfare package that includes housing and car loan schemes, allowances for rural postings, improved security around health institutions, and upgrades to medical equipment and infrastructure, such as perimeter fencing around health facilities. Additionally, welfare and salary packages for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members assigned to state-owned medical facilities have also been approved.
Umar emphasized that this initiative aims to attract and retain skilled health workers within the state’s civil service. He noted that Governor Mohammed is concerned about the alarming rate at which medical doctors and frontline health workers, including midwives, are leaving the state, resulting in a significant manpower shortage.
A committee was established to investigate the trend, revealing that inadequate welfare provisions were a major factor contributing to the migration of healthcare professionals. In response, the council has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (COHESS) for all health workers in the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Shehu Usman Shehu, praised the governor’s efforts, stating that the goal is not only to attract new professionals but also to retain existing staff and address promotion and career advancement issues for medical officers.
Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, the Commissioner for Health, added that the governor has lifted the ban on the recruitment of support staff and reinstated the pre-service training scheme that had previously been suspended.
“With this comprehensive package in place, our doctors and health workers can enjoy conditions comparable to those in federal institutions,” Dambam said. “We are optimistic that this will significantly improve the health sector by providing the necessary manpower and strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.”
