The Bauchi State Government has approved 100 per cent salary increment for doctors and healthcare workers across the state.

Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Muhammad Sani Dambam, disclosed this on Saturday while briefing journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House in Bauchi.

According to Dambam, the approval followed consideration of the recommendations of a special committee set up to assess the financial implications of a new scheme of service for healthcare workers.

The Commissioner explained that the outcome was the 100 per cent review of the existing scheme, marking one of the most significant welfare packages ever approved for the sector in the state.

Dambam added that the decision was driven by the need to retain skilled medical personnel and improve healthcare delivery.

He said as part of the package, the government approved peculiar allowances, including outside-posting allowances, designed to encourage doctors and health workers to accept and remain in postings outside metropolitan areas.

He added that healthcare workers under the State Primary Healthcare Development Board would also benefit from these peculiar allowances, ending years of disparity in welfare benefits.

The commissioner said the council also approved the clearance of outstanding promotions areas for healthcare workers, with no fewer than 2,000 workers expected to benefit from the exercise.

He said to further boost the morale of doctors and healthcare workers, the government approved access to car and housing loans, easing their financial burden and improving their quality of life.

As an accountability measure, Dr. Dambam revealed that biometric and verification systems would be introduced across health facilities to ensure transparency and effective service delivery. (LEADERSHIP)