The Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) initiative of the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Kwara State Government and other partners, has commenced the selection process for 16 Health Fellows across the local government areas of the state.
The Health Fellows are expected to help reposition Primary Health Care (PHC) services across the 16 local government areas of Kwara.
Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the National Health Fellows Programme, under which young Nigerian fellows are to be engaged in all 774 local government areas of the country.
Dr Ola Ahmed, the SWAp Desk Officer in Kwara, disclosed this on Monday in Ilorin during the physical interview for Cohort 2.0 of the National Health Fellows Programme.
Ahmed explained that the programme is domiciled in the SWAp Coordination Office under the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Muhammad Ali-Pate.
According to him, the fellows will be recruited, remunerated and equipped with appropriate tools to drive positive change in the health sector.
He said the initiative would strengthen the nation’s healthcare system by empowering young Nigerians to serve as catalysts for change in their communities.
“This is the second edition of the programme. Last year, applicants applied online nationwide, and at the end, three candidates were shortlisted per local government area. From those three, one fellow will be selected for each LGA,” Ahmed said.
He added that the fellows would serve for a period of 10 months and would be assigned mentors to guide them in developing the leadership skills required in the primary healthcare system.
“Fellows are expected to demonstrate leadership, motivation, integrity and ethical conduct in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
The Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government Area, Mr Nuhu Majeed-Podo, who represented other council chairmen, urged the fellows to be dedicated and committed to their assignments.
He noted that fellows from the previous cohort were fully engaged by the Presidency after the programme due to their dedication and hard work.
Also speaking, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Atolagbe Usman, emphasized the importance of the exercise, noting that only the best candidates would be selected.
He advised the prospective fellows to carry out their duties diligently, give back to society and remain committed to service.
