Zulum announces new salary structure for Borno doctors

Borno Governor Babagana Zelum has announced that from December 1, medical doctors in state hospitals will get salaries at par with their counterparts in federal institutions.

Mr Zulum made the announcement while opening the 65th National Health Council (NCH) conference in Maiduguri on Thursday.

The theme of the event was: “Accelerated Pathways to Universal Health Coverage: Strategies for Success by 2030.”

The governor said the policy change is aimed at retaining qualified medical professionals within Borno's healthcare system and ensuring better service delivery to residents.

He expressed concern over the increasing brain drain among doctors in state medical institutions, which is due to the disparity between their salaries and their federal counterparts.

He said the state government has already allocated N301 million to support 100 medical doctors currently undergoing residency training in health institutions in the state.

“This is a matter of great concern for all of us. I believe the new salary structure and allowances will encourage our doctors to stay and work in Borno State,” the governor said.

The governor also highlighted Borno's other efforts to strengthen its health sector.

He reiterated the state's commitment to the goals outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja Declaration urges all states to allocate at least 15 percent of their annual budget to health.

Mr Zulum said Borno had already made substantial progress in this regard, prioritizing investment in maternal and child health care, health infrastructure and disease control programmes.

However, he acknowledged the continuing challenge of high maternal mortality rate in the state, saying it required immediate action.

She expressed support for the federal government's Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative, which aims to eliminate financial barriers to life-saving procedures, including cesarean sections.

He said the initiative is in line with Borno's commitment to improving maternal health, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

He also called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Center in Borno to complement the existing health facilities and further enhance service delivery.

He thanked the Federal Health Ministry for its continued support and appreciated its proactive efforts, especially in response to the recent floods affecting the state.

Mr. Zulum stressed the importance of collaboration between federal and state health agencies and the involvement of local leaders to improve health care outcomes.

Also read: Borno floods: N5 billion pledge remains unfulfilled as relief distribution ends – officials

He also stressed the need for a community-driven approach to health care, urging better coordination of humanitarian assistance to ensure that health care interventions would be well-targeted and more effective.

“As we continue to strengthen our health systems, we must ensure that every community has access to quality health care.

“This will require cooperation, coordination and collective efforts of all stakeholders,” he said.

Special Adviser to the President on Health, Salma Anas, told NAN on the sidelines of the event that the Governor's announcement on the new salary structure is an important step in addressing the human resource challenges facing Borno's healthcare system.

Mr Anas said it also reflects the state's commitment to improving the overall healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that residents, especially women and children, have access to essential healthcare services.

NAN reports that the event brought together health leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders to address important sub-themes including health workforce development, community engagement and leveraging digital health solutions. (NAN)