By Blessing Oziwo
Kwara State has approved an upward review of professional allowances for nurses and allied health workers, alongside the advancement of medical laboratory scientists from Grade Level 09 to Grade Level 10.
Key Highlights
- Kwara approves a review of professional allowances for nurses and allied health workers.
- Medical laboratory scientists on Grade Level 09 are to advance to Grade Level 10.
- The advancement takes effect from their appointment dates to preserve seniority.
- Rural allowances to be processed for eligible health workers posted to rural communities.
- The statement did not disclose the new allowance amounts or when payment begins.
The development was announced by Okanlawon Solomon, Press Secretary in the office of the Head of Service, in a statement explaining the outcome of a review of remuneration and working conditions for medical officers and allied health personnel in the state civil service.
According to the statement, the governor had directed the office of the head of service to establish a committee to examine the salaries, allowances and working conditions of healthcare professionals.
The committee has completed its assignment and submitted recommendations aimed at improving staff welfare, strengthening retention and enhancing healthcare delivery across the state.
Committee’s Recommendations
Among the recommendations was improved entry-level placement for qualified graduate nurses and medical laboratory scientists, in line with the relevant federal government circular.
The committee said the measure is intended to strengthen healthcare services and encourage skilled professionals to remain in the state’s health sector.
It also proposed arrangements to facilitate the payment of rural allowances to eligible nurses and allied health workers posted to rural communities.
Under the recommendation, deployment and posting records of eligible personnel are to be forwarded to the office of the head of service to facilitate the processing of the allowances.
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Governor Approves Measures
Following consideration of the committee’s report, the Office of the Head of Service forwarded its recommendations to the governor, who approved the proposed measures, including a revised professional allowance table for eligible nurses and allied health workers employed by the state government.
The approval also covers medical laboratory scientists currently on Grade Level 09, who are to advance to Grade Level 10. The advancement will take effect from the respective dates of their appointments to preserve their seniority in the civil service.
To implement the decision, the chairman of the Kwara State Civil Service Commission has been directed to facilitate the advancement of the affected medical laboratory scientists.
The commissioner for finance is also expected to make the necessary arrangements for implementing the approved measures.
The state government said the decisions were aimed at improving the welfare of healthcare professionals, retaining skilled personnel and strengthening healthcare delivery across Kwara State.
However, the statement did not specify the amounts of the revised professional allowances or state when the new payment structure would take effect.
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