Governor Zulum being flanked by officials of the Residency programme
By Sam Kaye
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the sum of N200m to support about 150 medical doctors to attend their residency programmes.
The intention is to enable them obtain a broad range of medical knowledge, basic clinical skills, and supervised experience practising medicine in various fields in Nigeria.
Governor Zulum, a fellow of the postgraduate medical school, announced the approval on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he received the National Executive Officers of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Zulum explained that while about 50 medical doctors working with Borno State Government will receive N2million each, over 100 doctors who are Borno indigenes working with different federal institutions will receive N1m each to support their studies.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the visiting delegation and assured them that healthcare service delivery is one of his administration’s priorities.
Zulum also commended the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Mohammed Pate, and the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, for their support in improving health in Borno State.
Meanwhile, the NMA has appointed Zulum, as a champion for the universal applicability of quality healthcare delivery and the welfare of the health workforce.
The President of the NMA, Professor Bala Audu, announced the appointment on Wednesday at the council chamber of the government house in Maiduguri during a courtesy visit to the governor.
He said, “Your Excellency, we have a very important request which is to appoint you as NMA, champion for the universal applicability of quality healthcare delivery as well as the welfare of the health workforce.
“We know it is a difficult challenge, but you have the capacity for it because you have shown it and exemplified it in Borno State.”
The NMA President also commended Governor Zulum for embarking on several projects in the healthcare sector and for improving the welfare of health workers in Borno.
“Your Excellency, sir, we started our activity today by flagging off a medical outreach. Doctors from different specialities from all over the country are at one of the PHCs. This outreach is aimed at showing support for the tremendous work that your government is doing in the field of healthcare delivery,” Professor Bala stated.
He also said, “Your Excellency, the NMA recognises the tremendous and successful efforts Borno State Government is making with great strides, particularly in healthcare and education.”
He noted further that, “Despite the challenges at the Primary Healthcare level, Borno State Government is one of the key champions of effective primary healthcare and has received national leadership in primary healthcare.”