The Kebbi State government has announced plans to recruit 500 additional health workers and absorb 390 staff members of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) into the state’s workforce this year.

Governor Nasir Idris disclosed during the handing over ceremony of the NGF/GAVI UNICEF project in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

“We plan to employ 500 additional health professionals and absorb 390 GAVI-supported staff into the state’s workforce,” Mr Idris said.

He also highlighted his administration’s substantial investments in the health sector, which included upgrading six general hospitals and providing modern ambulances to improve the referral system.

“The Kebbi State Contributory Health Agency has also been empowered to ease the financial burden of healthcare on citizens,” the governor said.

Mr Idris further explained that the state government had selected primary healthcare centres (PHCs) for renovations and was providing free delivery kits to pregnant women.

“These initiatives are designed to help Kebbi achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative,” he said.

The governor commended the partners for their support, which he said had significantly enhanced healthcare delivery over the past three years.

Earlier, UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate, represented by Michael Juma, lauded the governor’s commitment to improving healthcare services.

“We have seen significant improvement in immunisation coverage, enhanced PHC services, and reductions in maternal mortality from 55 per cent to 49 per cent.

“Additionally, under-five mortality has dropped from 252 to 159 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2024,” he said.

The director urged the governor to sustain these achievements by increasing budgetary allocations to the health sector.

The event also featured the official presentation of three Hilux vans donated by GAVI.

(NAN)