At least 32,341 candidates have applied to fill the 206 health sector vacancies the Cross River government advertised.

This was stated in a document obtained on Thursday.

According to the document, as of the September 2 deadline for application submission, 49 doctors had applied to fill the 31 available spaces.

“1,240 nurses applied for the 153 vacancies while 184 persons applied to fill the 22 advertised spaces for pharmacists,” the document revealed.

The document further showed that although vacancies were not advertised for medical laboratory scientists, a total of 776 candidates applied for employment in that category.

The state government also received job applications from other health sector fields where vacancies were not advertised.

Health commissioner Henry Ayuk announced in August that Governor Bassey Otu had approved hiring 206 medical personnel. He said the gesture was part of the state government’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery.

Mr Ayuk said the Otu-led government met only 20 medical doctors in the state when it came on board. He said aside from the employment of personnel, the state government had earmarked several primary health centres for rehabilitation.

“These efforts are in line with our government’s mantra of putting the people first. We are committed to improving the well-being of our people,” he said.

(NAN)