The Oyo State Government has initiated the recruitment of healthcare workers to address the glaring workforce shortage in its primary healthcare system, following a data-driven report that highlighted the inadequacies. The report, published by BONews, shed light on how the state allocated over ₦12 billion to upgrade healthcare facilities in five years but failed to tackle the critical issue of insufficient healthcare personnel.
Addressing journalists in Ibadan, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Muideen Olatunji, announced the recruitment exercise, which aims to bridge the workforce gap in primary healthcare facilities across the state’s 33 local government areas.
Dr. Olatunji revealed that the recruitment process, initiated in 2021, had been accelerated by Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive to complete it promptly. “We are going to recruit about 3,000 out of the 16,035 applicants who applied through our job portal. In less than two months, the process will be concluded,” he stated.
The report by BONews highlighted the disparity between the financial investments in infrastructure and the persistent lack of human resources, drawing attention to the challenges faced by residents in accessing quality healthcare services. This revelation spurred public discourse and evidently prompted the state government to act.
At the briefing, Dr. Olatunji outlined the steps taken to strengthen the healthcare system:
Renovation and upgrade of over 200 primary healthcare facilities, with additional equipment provided to 264 others.
A commitment to recruiting healthcare workers, including community health extension workers, pharmacy technicians, and medical officers of health, to fill the long-standing gaps.
Oyo State’s Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, emphasized the significance of the recruitment exercise. “This effort will bridge the human resource gap and promote quality healthcare delivery in the state,” she said while monitoring the two-day Computer-Based Test (CBT) for the shortlisted applicants at the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Center.
Notably, this recruitment marks the first comprehensive effort to address workforce deficits in the primary healthcare sector in over two decades. Governor Makinde’s administration, which had already invested in renovating and equipping facilities, recognized the need for a well-trained workforce to optimize the upgraded infrastructure.
The recruitment exercise will be conducted in phases, with the first batch covering 30% of the approved positions. Subsequent phases will address remaining gaps, ensuring sustained progress in healthcare delivery.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Saminu Badamosi, commended the government for prioritizing the health sector. “This initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access for all residents,” he noted.
The impact of the story highlight the power of accountability journalism in driving change. By highlighting the disparity between financial allocations and service delivery, the report prompted a long-overdue response that will have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Oyo State residents.