31st October, 2018
The Government of Niger on Tuesday says it has recruited over 500 secondary level healthcare workers in the state in the last three years.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Jibril Mustapha, made this known at the certification ceremony of 225 family planning service providers, held in Minna.
The family service providers were trained by the Ministry of Health and Primary Healthcare Development Agency, in conjunction with an NGO, Marie Stopes Nigeria.
Mustapha said that “For over 16 years, there has not been a mass recruitment in the health sector.
“Despite the fact that we came in during the period of recession, this government has been able to recruit over 500 healthcare workers at the secondary state level.
“We have also been able to revitalise our School of Health Technology, School of Midwifery and School of Nursing.
“For the first time in over 42 years, these schools have been able to get their full accreditation,” he added
He said that Niger was one of six states selected for the pilot phase of the basic healthcare provision fund to improve healthcare services.
He restated the resolve of the state government to provide high quality health services through improved primary healthcare system.
He however decried the low contraceptive prevalence rate of 8.5 per cent in the state, adding that all hands were on deck to tackle the socio-cultural impediments to contraception.
He commended donor partners for collaborating with the state to bring increased contraceptive security for women.
“I am particularly grateful to Marie Stopes lnternational Organisation, Nigeria and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for selecting Niger as one of the focal states for this timely intervention
“Let me assure you that the Niger is totally committed to ensuring sustainability plans of this laudable project which is aimed at increasing contraceptive security for our women,” he added
The Executive Director of the State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Yahay Na’uzo, stated that the programme planned to expand contraceptive choices by increasing the availability of long last reversible methods of family planning in the state.
Na’ uzo enjoined the family planning service providers to make use of their training to benefit humanity.
He also gave assurance to partners that enabling environment would be provided to facilitate their invaluable support for health reform efforts in the state.