Zamfara State government on Wednesday said it had recruited 1,793 health workers in the last year.

Commissioner for Health, Aliyu Abubakar, stated this in Gusau at an event to celebrate the North-West Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Award won by the state.

Zamfara emerged as the best-performing state in the North-West zone at the Nigerian Governors’ Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge.

The healthcare support programme was supported by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, Aliko Dangote and UNICEF to revamp the Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR).

Mr Abubakar, represented by the permanent secretary, ministry of health, Aliyu Maikiyo-Maradun, attributed the achievements to the good policies and programmes initiated by Mr Matawalle’s administration.

According to him, the construction of 147 PHCs and the provision of 147 tricycle ambulances in 147 political wards across the state is one of the leading factors for achieving the award.

“One of the major achievements recorded by this ministry within one year is the recruitment of 1,793 health workers across the health sector in the state.

“The health workers included: nursing and midwives officers, community and dental officers, medical record and environmental officers.

“At the Hospital Services Management Board, we recruited 758 personnel, while at the State College of Nursing Sciences, we recruited 50 new staffers.

“At Ahmad Sani, Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, we recruited 205 personnel, while at the Primary Health Care Board, we recruited 780 personnel,” the commissioner said.

In his remarks, the executive secretary, state Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), Tukur Isma’ila, said the award was owing to the outstanding performance of the state in primary healthcare delivery ahead of other states in the North-West zone.

The executive secretary thanked the health partners, traditional, religious, and community leaders, security agencies, media practitioners and other stakeholders for their support which contributed to the winning of the award.

(NAN)