In a significant move to enhance healthcare in Rivers State, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has authorized the release of over N300 million as a grant to support 389 medical doctors in the State Civil Service currently undergoing residency training.
This funding will cover the Residency Training Grant for two consecutive years, 2023-2024, with each resident doctor receiving between N800,000 to N900,000 annually.So far, 215 resident doctors have received funding for 2023, while 174 have benefited from the 2024 allocation.
This initiative marks a major milestone in healthcare funding under Governor Fubara’s administration, setting a new precedent as the residency training grant has only been paid twice in the past 16 years, with the last payment made in 2018.
Governor Fubara’s action underscores his administration’s commitment to advancing the professional development of doctors, ensuring that essential grants for both Junior and Senior residency levels are provided.
These grants serve as crucial incentives for healthcare personnel, and the Governor’s strategic investment in this area is expected to significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services across the state.
Expressing his confidence in the impact of this funding, Governor Fubara emphasized that the support provided by his administration will enable the benefiting medical doctors to fully engage in their residency training. This critical stage of graduate medical education is essential for acquiring the skills necessary to deliver top-quality healthcare services within the state.
Reacting to this landmark decision, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, highlighted the importance of continuous training and development for healthcare professionals. She noted that the course updates and components funded by this grant are vital for ensuring that doctors remain current with the latest medical practices, ultimately improving patient care.
“Research is an integral part of medical training, and these funds cover the expenses related to developing and presenting research proposals and dissertations,” Dr. Oreh said. She also pointed out that the grant alleviates the financial burden of traveling to examination centers, which can be particularly costly for doctors working in different parts of the state or attending exams outside the state or country.
Addressing the high cost of residency exams, Dr. Oreh added, “By covering the examination fees for Parts I and II, the government ensures that financial barriers do not impede doctors’ career advancement.”
Dr. Oreh commended Governor Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of healthcare personnel, praising his proactive approach and political resolve in addressing critical challenges in human capacity development. She emphasized that Governor Fubara’s gesture, within his first year in office, is set to lead to better health outcomes not only for the people of Rivers State but for Nigerians as a whole.
