FCTA inaugurates selection committee for National Health Fellows Programme

DDM News

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), has officially inaugurated the FCT National Health Fellows Selection Committee.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that this move aligns with the Federal Government’s broader initiative to recruit health fellows across the country.

The National Health Fellows Programme, which was approved by President Bola Tinubu and announced in January 2025 by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, is designed to engage young professionals in healthcare services across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

As part of the Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Programme, this initiative aims to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, described the programme as a significant investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

She emphasized its importance in supporting the government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade and expand primary healthcare (PHC) centres across the country.

“This initiative aligns with the commitment of the FCT Administration, under the leadership of Bar. Nyesom Wike, to provide a strong and functional healthcare system for residents of the nation’s capital,” Dr. Fasawe stated.

She highlighted that the newly recruited fellows would be instrumental in monitoring healthcare facilities, providing critical feedback to the government, and assisting in other essential tasks that would enhance healthcare delivery in the FCT and beyond.

Dr. Fasawe further urged members of the selection committee to ensure a transparent, fair, and merit-based recruitment process to identify the most qualified candidates for the programme.

She stressed that the integrity of the selection process was vital to achieving the programme’s objectives.

The Permanent Secretary of HSES, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, who serves as the committee’s vice chairman, commended the administration of President Tinubu for prioritizing healthcare reforms.

He also acknowledged the dedication of the FCTA in driving universal health coverage and addressing pressing health challenges in the Federal Capital Territory.

He noted that the programme would help bridge gaps in healthcare delivery and contribute to improving the quality of services at health facilities across the FCT.

Also speaking at the event, the FCT State Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Kumshida Yakubu Balami, explained that the initiative is being implemented under the Sector Wide Action Plan (SWAP) Secretariat, which operates under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

She pointed out that WHO had provided guidelines for the programme’s coordination, including the establishment of a seven-member selection committee in each state.

According to her, the FCT had now fully complied with this requirement by setting up its own committee.

The newly constituted selection committee is responsible for overseeing the recruitment process and submitting a semi-final list of candidates.

Members of the committee include Dr. Dan Gadzama, Dr. Teresa Nwachukwu (SWAP desk officer), Dr. Aderonke Akande, Mrs. Maimuna Abdullahi, and Mr. Danladi Chiya.

Dr. Balami emphasized that the National Health Fellows Programme is a crucial step toward building a resilient healthcare system, adding that the role of the FCTA in implementing the initiative is commendable.

With the programme’s launch in the FCT, the administration aims to boost human resources in the healthcare sector, ensuring that qualified professionals are deployed to strengthen health services in the territory.

As recruitment begins, stakeholders have expressed optimism that the initiative will significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services in Abuja and serve as a model for other states implementing the programme.

The FCTA remains committed to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents of the Federal Capital Territory benefit from government-led health interventions aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

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