Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano, on Wednesday, presented employment letters to 2,037 newly recruited healthcare workers across the state.

Mr Yusuf presented the letters to the beneficiaries at an event in Kano, saying the recruitment was aimed at addressing manpower shortages.

He said the employees comprised clinical and non-clinical personnel recruited to bridge staffing gaps across the state’s healthcare facilities.

The governor said the recruitment included 250 medical doctors, 40 pharmacists, 250 nurses, 250 midwives and 150 senior community health extension workers.

Others were 50 junior community health extension workers and 50 epidemiologists, among other healthcare professionals.

Mr Yusuf attributed the shortage to the mass exodus of health workers from the state and Kano’s growing population.

“Our administration recognises that one of the major challenges is the shortage of medical personnel.

“The mass exodus of nurses and others is an issue that the Kano State Government felt needed to be addressed squarely and urgently,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the employment would address manpower gaps and improve access to quality healthcare services.

Mr Yusuf urged the newly employed personnel to uphold high standards of professionalism and dedication in the discharge of their duties.

He disclosed that plans were underway for another round of recruitment to further address manpower needs in the state’s health sector.

The commissioner for health, Abubakar Labaran-Yusuf, said the recruitment was conducted on merit and without favouritism.

Mr Labaran-Yusuf said the employment offers were not for sale and urged anyone who paid money to secure employment to report the matter.

He expressed optimism that the recruitment would contribute to improving healthcare services and strengthening service delivery across the state.

Earlier, the executive secretary, Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Mansur Mudi-Nagoda, said the recruitment was aimed at improving healthcare service delivery.

He said the beneficiaries comprised doctors, nurses, pharmacists and community health extension workers, among other healthcare professionals.

(NAN)