Dare Babalola
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, have picked 13 healthcare workers as fellows to drive health reforms, boost community health systems, and enhance grassroots service delivery in Nasarawa State.
The fellows were picked after their final interviews for the National Health Fellows 2.0 Programme, held Jan 12-13 in Nasarawa.
Annah Joshua, Sector-Wide Approach Desk Officer, explained to newsmen on Tuesday that during the physical screening, three candidates from each local government area were interviewed, and the top performer from each LGA was chosen by the interview panel.
Joshua, represented by a committee member, the Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Science at the Federal University of Lafia, Dr Ahmed Rabiu, narrated that the interview process was conducted by a broad panel of stakeholders, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, the State Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, traditional rulers, academia, and seasoned health professionals.
“It was a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based assessment of all shortlisted candidates. The candidates from across the 13 LGAs of Nasarawa State met at the state Ministry of Health Conference Hall for the physical interview phase of the programme.
“Successful candidates are expected to play strategic roles in evidence-based planning, community engagement, and the implementation of priority health interventions within their respective local government areas,” she said.
She noted that the NHF 2.0 initiative aims to select one fellow from each of Nigeria’s 774 LGAs to drive health reforms, boost community health systems, and enhance grassroots service delivery.
She explained that the involvement of the WHO, state and federal health authorities, and other key partners underscores the credibility and high standards of the selection process.
Josuah noted that nationwide, over 150,000 applicants applied for the programme, competing for the 774 available slots, which reflects the strong interest of young professionals in contributing to the transformation of Nigeria’s health sector.
“The National Health Fellows is a programme by the Ministry of Health. It tries to locate young people, not really people within a particular health sector, but young people who can bring their work experience to the health sector, so that it will be strengthened.
“But the most important thing is that it has to be within the community. You don’t take someone from another state and bring them here. Even if you are from another state, we want to make sure that you are somebody who is staying within the community so that your contribution will be felt by the whole community.
“It is a laudable programme and this is the second cohort. We were here for the first selection and this is the second cohort. We encourage young people to participate as an opportunity so that they will learn. Because apart from after this screening, they also have mentors that will take them through so that they will really understand how healthcare will be strengthened,” she added.
