LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The government of Sokoto State has rolled out a major healthcare workforce reform plan to improve services in rural areas, deploying over 1,500 nurses and midwives to underserved communities.
Governor Ahmad Aliyu announced the move during the 8th Sokoto State Council on Health, explaining that the initiative is part of the state’s effort to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
At the center of the reform is a new policy requiring health workers to serve in rural areas for two years, using their skills to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
“In line with our 9-SMART Innovative Agenda, we introduced a two-year mandatory rural posting policy to ensure equitable distribution of healthcare workers, particularly in rural underserved communities. Under this policy, over 1,500 nurses and midwives have been recruited and deployed, with incentives to encourage service in rural areas,” he said.
The policy is designed to close the gap between urban and rural healthcare access, where a shortage of trained staff has long affected the quality of care.
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Officials say this imbalance has contributed to poor health outcomes, especially for mothers and children who lack access to standard health facilities.
In response to these challenges, the state is working with national health authorities to recruit 2,400 more community health workers to strengthen primary healthcare systems at the grassroots level.
“This bold initiative is already strengthening service delivery at the grassroots,” Aliyu stated.
The governor also highlighted ongoing challenges in the health sector, particularly the shortage of skilled workers in remote areas.
“We are fully aware of the gaps in human resources for health, especially in rural communities. As a responsive administration, we have taken deliberate and strategic steps to address these challenges,” he added.
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To further improve care quality, the state has partnered with Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital to provide specialist support and mentorship for local health facilities.
Notably, health workers deployed to rural communities are expected to receive additional incentives from the state government, including a 10 percent rural allowance, aimed at improving motivation and long-term retention.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Health Faruk Abubakar, said the focus on staffing is key to achieving universal health coverage.
“One of the key priorities before us is strengthening human resources for health. We must ensure that our workforce is not only adequate but equitably distributed to meet the needs of our people,” Abubakar said.
Development partners have also welcomed the initiative. A representative of United Nations Population Fund, Yusuf Alayande, described the rural posting policy as an important step toward improving access to skilled healthcare in hard-to-reach areas.
Ultimately, the expansion in workforce highlights a shift toward stronger primary healthcare systems, offering hope for better access to essential services and improved public health outcomes across rural communities.
