Plateau LG woos NYSC doctors with ₦150,000 allowance, free accommodation

In an effort to combat a shortage of healthcare personnel and enhance access to quality medical services in its rural communities, the Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria, has launched a special incentive package for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) medical professionals. The initiative, spearheaded by Chairman Dr. Nicholas Kemi Nshe, aims to attract and retain qualified healthcare workers.

Under the new program, medical doctors serving in Shendam receive a monthly allowance of ₦150,000, in addition to free accommodation for their one-year national service. Other healthcare professionals, including nurses, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists, are provided with a monthly allowance of ₦70,000. Nshe stated that this package is designed to encourage more professionals to serve in Shendam, emphasizing his administration's commitment to making quality healthcare accessible and affordable.

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We give a doctor serving in Shendam free accommodation and pay them ₦150,000 as allowance from start to end. Nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technologists receive ₦70,000 monthly.

Nshe announced these incentives during a two-day free medical outreach organized in partnership with the NYSC's Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in Shendam. The outreach provided free medical consultations, laboratory tests, medications, and health education to over 600 indigent residents. He highlighted the longstanding relationship between the council and the NYSC, noting that his hotel was provided to the organization free of charge for over 22 years before he became chairman.

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This is to encourage more professionals to come to Shendam.

Beyond the outreach, Nshe revealed that his administration is actively involved in constructing and renovating primary healthcare centers across most wards in the local government. A modern medical laboratory is also under construction to bolster diagnostic services. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for their dedication to improving healthcare delivery, acknowledging the collaborative efforts across government tiers in expanding healthcare access despite economic challenges.

The Plateau State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Jonathan Iliya Yavala, present at the event, affirmed that the HIRD program is designed to deliver free healthcare services to underserved communities nationwide. He noted that over 400 residents had received medical attention by Saturday afternoon during the outreach.

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I have had a very robust relationship with the NYSC since 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, even before I became chairman. My hotel in this town was given to them free for over 22 years to carry out their activities.