Sokoto recruits 1,500 nurses, midwives to boost rural healthcare

The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, on Tuesday said the state government has recruited and deployed over 1,500 nurses and midwives to underserved communities as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas.

Aliyu disclosed this at the 8th Sokoto State Council on Health, where he highlighted the introduction of a two-year mandatory rural service policy aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare workers across the state.

“In line with our 9-SMART Innovative Agenda, we introduced a two-year mandatory rural posting policy to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare workers, particularly in rural underserved communities.

“Under this policy, over 1,500 nurses and midwives have been recruited and deployed, with incentives to encourage service in rural areas,” he said.

The governor said the initiative was designed to address the shortage of skilled health personnel outside urban centres, which has continued to limit access to quality healthcare.

He added that the government was also advancing plans to recruit an additional 2,400 community health workers in collaboration with national health authorities to strengthen primary healthcare services.

“This bold initiative is already strengthening service delivery at the grassroots,” he said.

Aliyu acknowledged existing gaps in key health indicators, stressing that improving human resources for health remains central to tackling maternal and child health challenges.

“We are fully aware of the gaps in human resources for health, especially in rural communities.

“As a responsive administration, we have taken deliberate and strategic steps to address these challenges,” he added.

He further disclosed that the state had partnered with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital to provide specialist support and mentorship to health facilities across the state.

The governor noted that newly recruited health workers are being supported with incentives, including a 10 per cent rural allowance, to boost morale and retention.

Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Health, Faruk Abubakar, said the focus on manpower development aligns with broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage.

“One of the key priorities before us is strengthening human resources for health.

“We must ensure that our workforce is not only adequate but equitably distributed to meet the needs of our people,” he said.

Development partners commended the initiative, with a representative of the United Nations Population Fund, Yusuf Alayande, describing the rural posting policy as a major step towards improving access to skilled healthcare in hard-to-reach areas.