Over 70% of doctors and other health workers reportedly reject rural postings as Niger State moves to address staffing gaps and uneven distribution.

More than 70 per cent of doctors and other health workers employed by the Niger State Government have reportedly rejected postings to rural areas, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Murtala Bagana.

Bagana disclosed this during an orientation programme for 396 Gavi-supported health workers recently absorbed into the Niger State Civil Service.

The commissioner said the government would no longer approve requests from newly employed health workers seeking transfers from rural primary healthcare facilities to urban centres or other preferred locations.

He said the state was confronted not only with a shortage of healthcare personnel but also with a serious imbalance in their distribution, particularly between urban and rural communities.

Bagana urged the newly absorbed workers to accept their postings and serve in communities where their services are most needed.

He also warned that health workers would be held accountable for misconduct, stressing that no employee would receive preferential treatment.

According to him, workers found guilty of wrongdoing could face disciplinary measures, including queries or dismissal, noting that other qualified personnel were available to fill vacant positions.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Junaidu Inuwa, said the state still had a significant workforce gap and was planning further recruitment to strengthen staffing at primary healthcare centres.

Inuwa disclosed that Governor Umaru Bago had already recruited 100 health workers, while another 384 ad-hoc workers were being engaged under an arrangement with the Federal Ministry of Health.

He said the state government also planned to recruit at least 200 health workers every two years to improve staffing levels across primary healthcare facilities.

Bagana assured the newly employed workers that the government would provide the necessary equipment and a conducive working environment to enable them to deliver effective healthcare services.

The commissioner's warning comes as the state seeks to improve access to healthcare in rural communities, where shortages of doctors, nurses and other health professionals continue to affect service delivery.