By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative of the Federal Government in collaboration with Kwara Government and partners have commenced selection process of 16 Health Fellows across the Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Health Fellows are expected to help reposition Primary Health Care (PHC) across the 16 LGAs.
NAN also reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the National Health Fellows Programme, with young Nigerian fellows to be engaged in all the 774 local government areas in the country.
Dr Ola Ahmed, the SWAp Desk Officer in Kwara, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin at the National Health Fellowship Programme Cohort 2.0 physical interview, explained that the programme is domiciled in the SWAp coordination office.
This, he said, is under the office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Mohammad Ali-Pate.
Ahmed stated that the fellows would be recruited, remunerated, and equipped with appropriate tools to drive positive change in the health sector.
According to him, the initiative will help strengthen the nation’s healthcare system by equipping young Nigerians to become catalysts for change in their communities.
“This is the second edition. Last year, people applied online across the country and at the end of the day, three people were selected per LGA, and we are going to select one person out of those three for each of the LGAs,” he said.
The SWAp desk officer further explained that the fellows are expected to work within a period of 10 months.
He pointed out that the fellows would also have mentors to guide them on the necessary leadership skills required in the primary healthcare system.
“Fellows are expected to exhibit leadership skills, motivation, integrity, and be ethical in their duties,” he said.
The Chairman of Ilorin South LGA, Mr Nuhu Majeed-Podo, who represented other chairmen, urged the fellows to be dedicated and committed.
He noted that the previous fellows were fully engaged by the president after the duration of the stipulated time due to their dedication and hard work.
In his reaction, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Atolagbe Usman, reiterated the importance of the exercise, stating that only the best candidates would be selected for the job.
He advised the fellows to do their jobs effectively, while encouraging them to give back to the society and show commitment to duty. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)