By Helen Okechukwu, JKNewsMedia Reporter, Port Harcourt
RIVERS STATE Governor Siminalayi Fubara has approved over N300 million in grants for 389 medical doctors in the State Civil Service currently undergoing residency training.
This funding will cover residency training requirements for the years 2023 and 2024, with each resident doctor receiving between N800,000 and N900,000 annually.
In 2023, 215 resident doctors received the grant, while 174 have received it so far in 2024.
This initiative marks a significant milestone, as residency training grants have only been issued twice in the past 16 years, with the last distribution occurring in 2018.
Fubara’s administration has set a new standard in healthcare funding by committing to support residency training, demonstrating a strong resolve to enhance the professional development of both junior and senior resident doctors.
This grant aims to provide enduring incentives and prevent any disruption in the training process due to lack of financial support.
The governor views this comprehensive support as a strategic investment in the capacity of healthcare personnel, which will ultimately improve the quality of healthcare services for the people of Rivers State.
He believes that this financial backing will motivate the resident doctors to excel in their training, a crucial phase in their medical education, and equip them with the skills needed to deliver high-quality care within the state.
Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, praised the initiative, highlighting its impact on addressing challenges in healthcare delivery.
She emphasized that the grant supports essential updates in medical knowledge, research development, and the costs associated with examinations and travel.
Dr. Oreh noted, “These funds are vital for doctors to stay updated with the latest medical practices and to manage the expenses related to research and examinations.
The financial support alleviates the burden of examination fees and travel costs, ensuring that doctors can focus on their training without financial constraints.”
She thanked Governor Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of healthcare personnel and commended his proactive approach to addressing critical issues in human capacity development.
Dr. Oreh expressed confidence that this gesture, achieved within the governor’s first year in office, will lead to improved health outcomes for Rivers State and beyond.
