The Sokoto State Government has introduced a mandatory two-year rural service scheme for all medical professionals trained under its sponsorship, in a bold move aimed at tackling the acute shortage of healthcare personnel in underserved communities.

Announcing the policy, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, said the initiative applies to doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health workers, and mandates their deployment to rural health facilities immediately after graduation.

“This policy is designed to correct the imbalance in the distribution of health personnel across Sokoto,” Abubakar stated. “Too many of our professionals are concentrated in urban centres, while rural areas suffer from a dire lack of qualified personnel.”

Incentives for Rural Deployment

To support and motivate compliance, the government has introduced a set of incentives. Each health worker deployed under the scheme will receive:

• A 10 per cent salary bonus
• Improved security arrangements in rural areas
• Access to upgraded health infrastructure

“We’re not just sending people to rural communities; we’re making those places attractive to work in,” Abubakar said. “Our goal is to motivate them to stay even after their mandatory service period.”

Reform Under Governor Ahmad Aliyu

The rural service mandate is part of a broader healthcare reform drive spearheaded by Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration, aimed at revitalising the state’s healthcare delivery system.

According to the commissioner, one of the flagship achievements of the reform agenda is the alignment of state medical workers’ salaries with federal standards, a move that has drawn commendation from labour unions and medical associations.

“Since the implementation of the new salary structure, many health workers who had previously resigned have withdrawn their letters and chosen to remain in service,” Abubakar revealed.

Long-Term Impact

The commissioner emphasised that the rural service policy, alongside other health sector reforms, is focused on building a sustainable and equitable healthcare system for the future.

“These reforms are not just fixing today’s problems,” he said. “They are laying a foundation for a healthier, more equitable future for Sokoto State.”

The new policy is expected to be rolled out immediately, with affected professionals receiving official notifications upon graduation and licensing.