The Sokoto State Government has introduced a new policy mandating all state-sponsored health professionals to serve in rural communities for a minimum of two years, in a bid to strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Farouk Abubakar, following the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Thursday and chaired by Governor Ahmed Aliyu.
Dr. Abubakar said the policy applies to all health professionals who received sponsorship from the state government.
“This initiative is aimed at improving healthcare services in rural areas, where they are most needed,”;; he said.
He further explained that the professionals would be posted exclusively to rural communities and would not be eligible for transfers during the two-year period.
The move, according to him, is designed to address the persistent shortage of qualified personnel in the rural healthcare system.
In addition to the rural service policy, the SEC approved several other key projects, including the procurement of 120 motorcycles valued at N280.8 million to support security operations across the state.
The council also approved N240 million for the construction of a perimeter fence at Sokoto State University and N686.7 million for a 500-seater auditorium at the Sokoto State College for Basic and Remedial Studies.
Meanwhile, N300 million has been earmarked for the renovation of the Goronyo and Gada Juma’at mosques.
