Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda on Wednesday inducted 1,020 newly recruited frontline health workers to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state, describing the move as part of efforts to rebuild the health sector.
The induction ceremony was held at the Local Government Service Commission Conference Hall in Katsina.
Radda said primary healthcare remains the foundation of the health system and a central component of his administration’s development agenda.
“A healthy population is the backbone of development. That is why we placed Primary Healthcare at the centre of our agenda,” the governor said.
He disclosed that the state government has upgraded 268 Primary Healthcare Centres at a cost exceeding N26.7 billion. According to him, the upgrades include facility renovations, provision of medical equipment, tricycle ambulances, and improvements in water and sanitation infrastructure.
The governor said plans are underway to upgrade remaining facilities to ensure that all 361 political wards in the state have functional Level 2 Primary Healthcare Centres.
Radda further stated that more than N3 billion has been released for nutrition programmes targeting women, children and vulnerable groups. He added that 724 health professionals had been recruited in the past two years to strengthen secondary healthcare services.
The governor said the recruitment of the 1,020 workers followed due process and was conducted without political interference. He noted that more than 75 percent of those inducted were previously serving as casual health workers.
“More than 75 percent of those recruited today were already serving as casual health workers. We rewarded loyalty, experience and dedication,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the Recruitment Committee and Special Adviser on Local Government Inspectorate, Alhaji Lawal Rufa’i Safana, said the selection process was merit-based and transparent.
Safana said the committee received 9,045 applications for the 1,020 positions. After screening, 3,658 candidates were shortlisted for examination, and 3,445 sat for the exam across seven centres in the state.
He said 2,309 candidates passed and were invited for interviews, after which the best 30 candidates were selected from each of the 34 local government areas, producing the final 1,020 successful applicants.
“We applied every rule without fear or favour. The Governor did not interfere. He encouraged fairness and justice,” Safana said.
He added that 754 of the successful candidates were former casual workers who were prioritised in recognition of their years of service.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr. Shamsudeen Yahaya, described the recruitment as a significant development for healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities.
“These are frontline caregivers who will save lives and improve health outcomes,” he said, urging the new workers to serve with professionalism and dedication.
