Kaduna to hire 1,800 health workers, Raise Doctors’ Pay

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has taken a decisive step to strengthen the healthcare system by approving the immediate release of the outstanding 2024 payments and the full 2025 funding for medical residency training and hazard allowances for all medical doctors in the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, during a three-day workshop for health reporters organized by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH).

“Monthly, the medical doctors will start receiving additional N40,000 – N35,000 on their salaries. This will at least ease the hardships,” she stated. She also revealed that a proposal has been submitted for the recruitment of more staff for secondary health facilities and teaching hospitals.

Ahmed added that the recruitment portal for the 1,800 PHC workers would soon be launched, noting that the state aims to grow its workforce of nurses and midwives from just over 2,000 to more than 5,000. She emphasized that staffing shortages remain one of the ministry’s major challenges.

Speaking on behalf of the Gates Foundation, health systems consultant Dr. Anthony Shamang described the workshop as vital to improving inclusive and responsive healthcare in Kaduna. “The Gates Foundation has worked in Kaduna State for over a decade… we began with support for routine immunisation and have since expanded to broader health system strengthening,” he said.

Shamang stressed the role of the media in influencing health policies: “That is where the media comes in. You have the power to translate health challenges and needs into compelling stories that resonate with the public and policymakers alike.”

Moji Makanjuola, Executive Director of ISMPH, represented by Program Director Solomon Dogo, described the media as essential to public health advocacy. “The media are partners in development, and their role in public health goes beyond dissemination, but helping to drive behavior change,” she said, adding that the training also supports journalists in Kaduna, Kano, and Niger states through collaboration with partners like EngenderHealth, CCSI, and LISDEL.