Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, has approved the recruitment of 31 medical doctors, 153 nurses and 22 pharmacists to address the manpower deficit in the state health sector.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed this at a press briefing on Wednesday in Calabar.

Mr Ayuk said that the decision to employ more health personnel was aimed at improving healthcare services delivery in the state.

He said, “Just 20 doctors and 938 nurses in our secondary healthcare facilities serving a population of approximately 3.4 million people is a worrisome situation. As a government, we are poised to address this. This move is to bridge the gap in human capacity, and to equip the sector with the needed manpower. Workforce in the health sector will soon be strengthened. This will have a tremendous impact on healthcare service coverage in the state.’’

The commissioner also said that the governor’s approval had been transmitted to relevant implementing organs of government for immediate action.

He added, “The State Planning Commission, Office of the Head of Service, and the Civil Service Commission have been communicated to immediately commence the employment process.’’

(NAN)