Kaduna health sector unions have commended Governor Uba Sani for implementing far-reaching reforms aimed at improving workers’ welfare and strengthening the state’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the joint press conference at the Ministry of Information, the Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Kaduna State Chapter Comrade Ishaku Yakubu described Governor Sani’s approval of the full implementation of the 2024 Consolidated Medical Salary Structure and Consolidated Health Salary Structure as historic.
The associations included, the Nigeria Medical Association Association of Resident Doctors Kaduna and Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital chapters, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria , the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria and the Joint Health Sector Union.
Comrade Ishaku Yakubu explained that the reform, will add over N518 million monthly and N6.2 billion annually to the state’s wage bill, ending over a decade of stagnation in health workers’ remuneration.
The unions also hailed the governor for directing local governments to pay 100 percent of CONHESS 2024 for staff under their service, a move they said would promote fairness and equity across the state’s health system.
They further applauded the automatic employment policy for graduating medical students of Kaduna State University (KASU) at BDTH, which they said would stabilize service delivery and provide clear career pathways for young professionals.
In addition, they welcomed the reintroduction of a bond system requiring state-sponsored medical students and resident doctors to serve a minimum of three years after graduation or residency.
According to them, this measure will ensure that public investment in medical education directly benefits the people of Kaduna State.
The unions equally highlighted the administration’s infrastructural strides, including the completion of a 300-bed Specialist Hospital, renovation of 15 General Hospitals, revitalization of over 200 Primary Health Care Centres, construction of three oxygen plants, establishment of three special baby-care units, and the upgrade of the state’s medical warehouse in Kakuri, Kaduna.
“These reforms reflect consistency, passion, and a vision of health as an investment in human capital. Kaduna State has set a standard worthy of emulation across Nigeria,” the unions declared.
They reaffirmed their confidence in the state government’s commitment to healthcare delivery, stressing that the reforms have restored dignity to medical practice, strengthened staff retention, and given professionals renewed confidence to remain in Kaduna to serve.
COV: Adamu Yusuf
