In a bid to tackle the shortage of medical professionals, the Bauchi State Government has approved a new salary structure and welfare package aimed at attracting and retaining doctors and other health personnel across the state.
The Head of Service, Mohammed Umar, announced the development during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting held on Friday.
According to Umar, the move is in response to the alarming rate at which healthcare workers, including doctors and midwives, are leaving the state due to poor remuneration and lack of incentives.
He explained that a government-constituted committee had investigated the trend and discovered that inadequate welfare packages were the major reason behind the exodus of health professionals.
“Following the committee’s findings, the council approved the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (COHESS) for health workers in the state,” Umar said.
He added that the welfare package includes housing and car loans, rural posting allowances, enhanced security around health institutions, and improved medical equipment. Additional measures such as perimeter fencing of health centres, welfare incentives for corps members serving in health facilities, and accelerated promotion and training opportunities were also approved.
A committee will be established to ensure swift implementation of the new salary and welfare package.
Commissioner for Health, Sani Dambam, lauded Governor Bala Mohammed for prioritizing the health sector since assuming office. He noted that the administration has consistently allocated 15% of the state budget to health, in line with global standards.
“The governor declared a state of emergency in the health sector, removed bureaucratic barriers, and convened the first health summit in northern Nigeria, leading to the My Bauchi project blueprint,” Dambam said.
He also highlighted other reforms, including the renovation of healthcare facilities, lifting of recruitment embargoes, and the reintroduction of the pre-service training scheme for medical personnel.
“With this comprehensive package now in place, Bauchi State can compete with federal health institutions in terms of welfare and remuneration.
We are confident this will significantly boost manpower and service delivery in the sector,” he concluded.
