Governor Fubara approved the employment of 2,000 healthcare personnel—1,000 for the Hospitals Management Board and 1,000 for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has taken a significant step toward improving the state’s healthcare delivery system with the recruitment of over 1,000 healthcare workers.
The first batch of successful candidates, numbering more than 500, received their appointment letters at a ceremony organized by the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board.
The recruitment is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce after over eight years of stagnation in manpower development. The Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Bright Ogbonda, provided details of the recruitment exercise, stating that it was approved a few months ago.
“Governor Fubara approved the employment of 2,000 healthcare personnel—1,000 for the Hospitals Management Board and 1,000 for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Today, we are distributing appointment letters to the first batch of successful candidates,” Dr. Ogbonda explained.
He noted that the new workforce would address critical staffing needs in the state’s healthcare facilities. Rivers State currently has 25 general hospitals, with additional facilities in development. Upgraded zonal hospitals in locations such as Bori, Ahoada, Degema, and the Psychiatric Hospital are also set to benefit from the increased workforce.
“With this recruitment, hospitals across the state will now have 7 to 15 doctors and 20 to 35 nurses, depending on the size and demand of each facility,” Dr. Ogbonda added, emphasizing that the deployment would ensure better access to healthcare services for residents.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Prof. Daprim Ogaji, highlighted the importance of the recruitment, calling it a long-awaited step to enhance healthcare delivery in the state.
“Secondary healthcare services in Rivers have long suffered due to a shortage of personnel. This recruitment is addressing a pressing need. The new employees, drawn from various disciplines, will be distributed across hospitals in local government areas to improve service delivery,” Prof. Ogaji stated.
The newly recruited healthcare workers are expected to complete their documentation and assume their duties by December 1, 2024.
Observers say this development marks a significant investment in the state’s healthcare infrastructure and could improve access to medical care for communities across Rivers State.
Join our Channel...