Lagos employs 400 health workers

The Lagos State Government on Monday said it has employed over 400 health workers comprising Consultants, Medical Officers, Dental Officers, Medical House Officers, Pharmacists, Pharmacy technicians, Nurses, Nurse Interns, Dietitians, Physiotherapist, Radiographers, Optometrist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Dental Therapist, Dental Technologists.

Other health workers employed in the state-owned secondary health facilities are Medical Health Records Officers, Medical Engineers, Pharmacy Interns, Physiotherapy Interns, Radiographer Interns, Medical Laboratory Scientist Interns.

In a press statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, the government noted that the employment is for the last quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021.

The Chairman, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga was quoted to have said that the engagement of the health care workers is part of the current administration’s strategy to improve human resources for health towards the provision of qualitative healthcare delivery in Lagos State.

Onayiga further stated that the recruitment of the health workers was conducted consequent to the approval of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and in line with the exit replacement and human resource policy of the government.

 She said “the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu places priority on human resources for health, human capital development, and medical infrastructural development as a means of achieving the Health and Environment mandate of the THEMES agenda.

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“The Lagos State Health Service Commission in alignment with the THEMES agenda is doing everything within its capacity to ensure optimal human resource provision to the public health sector.

“This, we will vigorously pursue until we attain an equitable distribution of human resources in our health facilities which will ensure improved access to qualitative and efficient health service delivery. It should reduce waiting time and improve the overall patient experience in our health facilities in line with our mandate”.

Onayiga noted that with the increased investment in health over the years, especially in human resources, human capacity development, medical infrastructure, and implementation of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu led administration to the attainment of universal health coverage has been further affirmed.

“This ultimately, will halt the trend of brain drain of the health professionals and attract medical tourism to Lagos State”, she added.