The Sokoto State Executive Council has approved a series of policy initiatives and capital projects aimed at strengthening the health sector, enhancing security operations, and accelerating infrastructural development across the state.
Addressing journalists after the council meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Wurno, disclosed that the state has adopted the health workforce policy mandating a minimum of two years of compulsory service in rural areas for all health professionals sponsored by the state government.
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“As you are aware, the state has been investing heavily in the sponsorship and training of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical scientists.
“However, we observed a consistent trend of professionals rejecting rural postings after training.
“This health workforce policy seeks to reverse that by ensuring every beneficiary of state sponsorship serves in underserved communities for at least two years,” Wurno explained.
To further incentivise rural deployment, the council approved an additional 10% of basic salary for all professionals posted to these areas.
“The government also plans to deploy two to three community health buses to public and private health centres across the state to ease transportation and logistics challenges,” Wurno said.
The council also approved the procurement of 150 units of Boxer motorcycles to bolster security operations in response to persistent threats in parts of the state.
The motorcycles, awarded to MSU Multi Resources Limited at a unit cost of N1,872,075, total N280,811,215.
On infrastructure, the council approved the construction of a roundabout and full interchange way linking key entry routes into the state capital.
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