Zulum approves 100% rural allowance for doctors, 40% for nurses in Borno

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved an upward review of rural allowances for medical doctors and nurses serving under the State Hospital Management Board, raising the allowances to 100 per cent and 40 per cent of their total salaries, respectively.

The governor announced the decision on Tuesday during a briefing with journalists while on an inspection tour of key projects in the northern part of the state.

Zulum’s tour included Government Secondary School (GSS) Gubio, two general hospitals, and ongoing housing estates in Gubio and Magumeri Local Government Areas.

Explaining the rationale for the increase, the governor said the allowance hike would be a “game changer,” noting that human resources for health remain a major challenge for his administration.

“We have done all that we could, but there is still a dearth of medical personnel in our hospitals,” he said.

“On investigation, I discovered that many of our medical doctors prefer to work in facilities run by international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) because they offer better remuneration than the government. We must ensure that our wages are fair and equitable.

“For this reason, effective January 1, medical doctors working in rural communities, as identified by the Hospital Management Board, will receive a rural allowance equivalent to 100 per cent of their total salaries, while nurses and midwives will receive 40 per cent.

“I believe this measure will bridge the gap and attract more health workers to hospitals in rural areas. Therefore, anyone willing to serve at general hospitals in the local government areas should report to the Hospital Management Board promptly,” Zulum added.

At Government Secondary School, Gubio, the governor also directed the immediate provision of essential facilities for the school’s laboratories and library.

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