The Kano State Government has recruited 2,037 health workers to address manpower shortages across public healthcare facilities in the state.

Governor Abba Yusuf disclosed this on Wednesday while presenting appointment letters to the newly recruited personnel, saying the exercise was aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to medical services.

The recruits include 250 medical doctors, 40 pharmacists, 250 nurses, 250 midwives, 150 Community Health Officers, 50 Junior Community Health Extension Workers and 50 medical laboratory scientists, among other health professionals.

Yusuf said the recruitment became necessary because of shortages in the state’s healthcare workforce, which had been worsened by the migration of doctors, nurses and other professionals to other locations in search of better opportunities.

He urged the new workers to discharge their duties with compassion, integrity, discipline and professionalism while respecting the rights and dignity of patients irrespective of their social status, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

The governor specifically warned the health workers against maltreating patients or demanding money before providing medical consultation or emergency care in public health facilities.

“No patient should be denied timely medical attention or subjected to unnecessary hardship because of inability to pay before receiving care,” he said.

Yusuf charged the beneficiaries to regard their appointments as a responsibility to serve the people of Kano State and contribute to improving healthcare delivery across the state.

He also said the state government would continue to take measures to strengthen the health sector and address manpower requirements as they arise.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran-Yusuf, said the recruitment process was conducted on merit and without favouritism.

He warned against the sale of appointment slots and urged anyone who had paid money to secure employment to report the matter to the appropriate authorities.

The latest recruitment is expected to help bridge staffing gaps in Kano’s hospitals and other healthcare facilities, while the state government said further recruitment could be undertaken as additional manpower needs emerge.