The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, working in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, has selected 13 healthcare workers as fellows to support health sector reforms, strengthen community health systems and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots level across Nasarawa State.
The fellows were chosen following the final interviews for the National Health Fellows 2.0 Programme, which were conducted between January 12 and 13 in Nasarawa State.
Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the interview sessions on Tuesday in Lafia, the Sector-Wide Approach Desk Officer in the state, Annah Joshua, explained the process that led to the selection of the successful candidates.
Joshua said that during the final physical screening exercise, three shortlisted candidates from each local government area were interviewed, after which one candidate per LGA was selected by the interview panel.
She was represented at the briefing by a committee member and Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Science at the Federal University of Lafia, Dr Ahmed Rabiu.
Joshua explained that the interview process was conducted by a broad-based panel made up of representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, traditional institutions, academia and experienced 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.
Joshua noted that the National Health Fellows 2.0 initiative is structured to select one fellow from each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
She explained that the objective of the programme is to drive health sector reforms, strengthen community health systems and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level nationwide.
According to her, the participation of the World Health Organisation, federal and state health authorities and other development partners highlights the credibility and high standards of the selection process.
Joshua further disclosed that the programme attracted massive interest across the country, with more than 150,000 applicants competing for the 774 available slots.
She said the large number of applicants reflects the strong desire among young professionals to contribute meaningfully 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.
The World Health Organisation is the specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for global public health.
The organisation works to promote health, keep the world safe and serve vulnerable populations by coordinating international responses to health emergencies, setting global health standards and advancing universal health coverage for people worldwide.
