Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the employment of 267 health technicians to strengthen manpower in the state’s health facilities.

Mamman Mohammed, spokesman for the governor, disclosed this to journalists in Damaturu on Monday.

According to him, those employed include 140 ‘Buni Scholars’ who recently graduated in various medical science fields in India.

The Buni Scholars comprise 43 BSc Nursing, 43 BSc Pharmacy, 22 BSc Medical Laboratory Science, 24 BSc Radiology, seven BSc Optometry, and one BSc Public Health graduate.

The governor also approved the employment of 127 health technicians currently serving as volunteers in health institutions across the state.

“The governor directed the employment of medical technicians who graduated earlier but had only been serving as volunteers in medical centres.

“The Buni Scholars have been placed on CONHESS 8, while the volunteer technicians were placed on CONHESS 6/2,” Mr Mohammed said.

He noted that Mr Buni’s administration has consistently offered automatic employment to Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery graduates over the last five years.

He added that the administration established primary healthcare centres in the state’s political wards to bring healthcare services closer to the people.

“Similarly, the government upgraded the General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Geidam, and Buni Yadi to Specialist Hospitals. Also, eight Primary Healthcare Centres were upgraded to General Hospitals.

“The State Teaching Hospital was also equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to make healthcare services more accessible and affordable,” Mr Mohammed stated.

(NAN)