The screening exercise for prospective candidates for the National Health Fellows Program, NHFP has commenced in kaduna State.
The exercise was led by the State Coordinator’s representative and Public Health Officer with the World Health Organization, Dr. Fureratu Zakari.
The event was also graced by the Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed, whose presence underscored the state government’s commitment to transparency, excellence, and youth leadership development in the health sector.
Speaking during the exercise, Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed described the programme as an initiative the state was proud to support, noting that it helped identify young people capable of working within their communities to address local health challenges through effective data and information gathering.
She explained that such efforts would aid policymakers in implementing evidence-based health policies.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that the new cohort of fellows would demonstrate passion and dedication in their assigned communities, similar to the first cohort, whom she said were already making the state proud through improved health outcomes.
She also advised applicants to ensure strict compliance with screening requirements, emphasizing that documents such as purchase forms, original birth certificates, certificates of indigene, and academic credentials must be presented in their original form.
The National Health Fellows Programme NHFP is a Presidential initiative designed to groom a new generation of leaders for Nigeria’s health sector by equipping young professionals with hands-on leadership and management experience in primary healthcare facilities across the country.
Under the programme, one health fellow is deployed to each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, strengthening grassroots capacity for health system reform and improved service delivery nationwide.
The programme operates under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the Sector-Wide Approach SWAp, in partnership with State Ministries of Health and development partners.
Cov/Fatima Aliyu