The Executive Chairman of Shendam Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kemi Nshe, has revealed how his administration is tackling the shortage of medical personnel by introducing incentives that attract and retain doctors and other healthcare professionals in the area.
Nshe said the council provides free accommodation and a ₦150,000 allowance to medical doctors serving in Shendam, while nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists receive ₦70,000 as incentives to encourage them to work in the local government.
The chairman disclosed this while speaking during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) held in Shendam.
According to him, the initiative has significantly increased the number of health professionals willing to serve in the local government, leading to improved healthcare delivery for residents.
“As a doctor, once you come to Shendam, you get free accommodation and a ₦150,000 allowance from the beginning to the end of your service. Nurses, pharmacists and laboratory scientists also receive ₦70,000. That is to encourage them to give more to our people.”
Nshe explained that the incentive package was introduced to address the challenge of inadequate medical personnel in rural communities, expressing optimism that more doctors would be attracted to Shendam.
He said the council had also embarked on massive investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of clinics across several wards and a modern laboratory to improve access to quality medical services.
“When I came in, we built quite a number of clinics in almost all the wards. As you can see, we are building a laboratory, and several other health projects are ongoing across the local government.”
The chairman said improving healthcare remained one of the priorities of his administration, stressing that the investments were aimed at bringing quality medical services closer to rural communities.
He urged young medical professionals to see public service as an opportunity to impact lives, insisting that leadership should be measured by the value it adds to society.
“Life is about value addition. When you have the opportunity to serve, do more for the people. The best we can do is to give back and improve the lives of our communities.”
Nshe reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining investments in the health sector, assuring residents that more projects and programmes would be implemented to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve the well-being of the people of Shendam.
