By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government on Thursday said it has concluded modalities to commence the payment of salaries to indigent students of medical sciences as part of efforts to boost the state’s health workforce after their studies.
Dr Hamidu Ahmed Kara, the Head of Civil Service, disclosed the decision while briefing journalists in Jalingo.
Kara explained that beneficiaries would sign a bond to work with the state government for three years after graduation to ensure their skills are deployed within the state.
The Head of Service also announced that the government was partnering with a UK-based health consortium, Annomo Health, to revitalise the health sector and transform Taraba into an international destination for medical tourism.
According to him, “The coming of Annomo Health is to help strengthen our health sector to ensure it competes favourably and Taraba becomes a medical tourism hub.
“A lot of investment will go into this partnership, and it is expected to trickle down to all health facilities in phases.
“The experts have done something similar in other countries and even in Nigeria, and we are eager to see our state become one of the vibrant states in terms of medical expertise, skilled workforce, and conducive facilities.
“The partnership is to boost the state’s health workforce. We are planning to start paying salaries to medical science students.
“The salaries will be paid throughout the duration of their studies, and their take-home will be equivalent to what is applicable to civil servants on Grade Levels 5 to 7, depending on their academic level.
“Immediately after their studies, they will sign a bond to work for the state government for three years as their contribution to the state’s health sector in return for the government’s support.”
Meanwhile, the Team Lead of Annomo Health, Dr Chichi Menakaya, said the plan to transform the state’s health sector to operate at international standards would be implemented in phases.
She noted that the reform would cut across hospital management, upskilling the medical workforce, upgrading medical facilities, among others.
According to her, “The passion of Governor Agbu Kefas is driving this initiative, and because of his dedication, the people of Taraba will be grateful for this investment in their health sector.
“We want to build medical hubs that will make Taraba the next destination for medical tourism in Nigeria.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Services Management Board, Dr Garba Danjuma, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, noting that the collaboration was what the state needed to re-engineer its health sector for optimum service delivery.
