State Approves 100% Salary Increase For Health Workers.

The Bauchi State Executive Council has approved a 100 per cent increase in the salaries of medical and healthcare workers across the state, alongside the introduction of special incentives for those working in rural and hard-to-reach locations.

The decision was announced by the Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Dambam, while briefing journalists after an extraordinary council meeting held over the weekend.

Dr Dambam said the new salary package would be accompanied by rural posting allowances for health personnel stationed outside local government headquarters, a move aimed at strengthening healthcare services in underserved communities.

He also disclosed that the council approved the promotion of more than 2,000 healthcare workers whose advancements had been outstanding.

According to the commissioner, the approvals followed the recommendations of a special committee set up to examine the financial impact of revising the scheme of service for healthcare workers in the state.

“The committee’s findings led to a complete overhaul of the existing structure, resulting in a 100 per cent salary increase, one of the most comprehensive welfare interventions ever introduced in the Bauchi health sector,” he said.

Dr Dambam explained that the measures were designed to retain skilled professionals, improve staff morale and enhance service delivery, especially in rural areas.

He added that additional incentives, including outside-posting allowances, were approved to encourage doctors and other health workers to accept and remain in postings outside urban centres.

Health workers under the State Primary Healthcare Development Board will also benefit from the new allowances, thereby resolving long-standing disparities in welfare within the sector.

The commissioner further revealed that doctors and healthcare workers will have access to car and housing loans as part of efforts to reduce financial pressure and improve living conditions.

To boost efficiency and accountability, the state government will also introduce biometric and verification systems across health facilities.

In a related development, the State Executive Council approved N900 million for the recapitalisation of Yankari Savings and Loans. The Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Ningi, disclosed this while briefing journalists.

He explained that the recapitalisation was necessary due to the bank’s strategic role in supporting the state’s economy.

“The N900 million intervention will stabilise the institution, expand its operations and enable it to contribute more effectively to the economic wellbeing of Bauchi State,” Ningi said.