Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reinstated 23 health workers who were previously suspended from Gwoza General Hospital for absenteeism.
The announcement was made during the Governor’s recent inspection of the hospital’s newly renovated maternity and child center, along with other ongoing projects.
The health workers had been suspended after Governor Zulum discovered their absence during an earlier visit to the hospital. In his address to the staff, Zulum stressed the importance of commitment to duty while offering assurances of improved working conditions and other incentives to support their dedication.
“Complaints were made about the 23 medical workers who were absent during my last visit,” Governor Zulum explained. “No one is perfect, so the government has pardoned them, although no arrears will be paid.” He expressed optimism that the workers would maintain a higher level of commitment in the future.
In response to a shortage of medical staff raised by Dr. Nuhu Nasiru Wakawa, the Principal Medical Officer of Gwoza General Hospital, the Governor directed the immediate deployment of four additional doctors and ten nurses to bolster the hospital’s operations.
Governor Zulum also announced plans to upgrade Gwoza General Hospital to support nursing training for students from the new school of nursing currently under construction in the area.
“The Commissioner of Health, along with the Chief Medical Director of the Hospitals Management Board, will facilitate these deployments,” said Zulum.
He further disclosed plans to recruit community health workers from Gwoza, aiming to strengthen local healthcare services and address staff shortages.
In addition to healthcare initiatives, Governor Zulum inspected the construction site of a crusher plant in Pulka, designed to produce up to 300 tonnes of stones per hour.
The completion of the crushing and asphalt plants is expected to enhance infrastructure development by providing materials for new road networks across Borno State.
During his tour, the Governor also visited other key development projects, including a 500-unit mass housing project in Wala B, Gwoza Local Government Area, and a proposed site for a high Islamic school in Bama.
These projects underscore his administration’s commitment to advancing both infrastructure and education in the region.
Dauda Iliya, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to improving healthcare, infrastructure, and educational facilities as part of its broader strategy for state development.
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