Nurses and allied health workers in the Kwara State civil service are to benefit from increased professional allowances following the approval of new welfare measures by the state government.
The government also approved the advancement of medical laboratory scientists currently on Grade Level 09 to Grade Level 10, with the adjustment taking effect from the dates of their respective appointments to preserve their seniority in the service.
The decisions were announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by Okanlawon Solomon, Press Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Kwara State Government. The approvals followed a review of the remuneration and working conditions of medical officers and allied health personnel in the state civil service.
According to the statement, the governor had earlier directed the Office of the Head of Service to establish a committee to examine the salaries, allowances and welfare of the affected health professionals.
After completing its assignment, the committee submitted recommendations intended to improve the working conditions and remuneration of healthcare workers across the state.
“The committee has since completed its assignment and submitted its final report, which contains recommendations aimed at improving the welfare, remuneration and working conditions of healthcare professionals across the state,” the statement read.
One of the recommendations concerned the entry-level placement of qualified graduate nurses and medical laboratory scientists. The committee proposed improved placement in line with the relevant Federal Government circular, with the aim of strengthening the health sector and encouraging skilled personnel to remain in service.
The report explained that the proposed adjustment was intended “to strengthen healthcare service delivery and improve the retention of skilled professionals.”
In addition to the revised professional allowances, the committee recommended measures to ensure that eligible health workers posted to rural communities receive their rural allowances. The proposal seeks to improve the processing of payments by requiring relevant deployment and posting records to be submitted to the Office of the Head of Service.
On this arrangement, the committee recommended that “deployment and posting details of nurses and allied health workers be forwarded to the Office of the Head of Service to facilitate the processing of Rural Allowance for eligible personnel serving in rural areas.”
Following consideration of the committee’s report, the Office of the Head of Service forwarded its recommendations to the governor, who approved the proposed changes, including a new professional allowance table for eligible nurses and allied health workers employed by the state government.
The approval also addresses the career progression of medical laboratory scientists on Grade Level 09. Their advancement to Grade Level 10 will be calculated from their respective appointment dates, a provision intended to ensure that their seniority is maintained.
“The Governor also approved the implementation of the proposed Professional Allowance Table for nurses and allied health workers in the employ of the state government,” the statement added.
To implement the decisions, the Chairman of the Kwara State Civil Service Commission has been directed to take the necessary steps to effect the approved advancement of the medical laboratory scientists. The Commissioner for Finance is also expected to make the necessary financial arrangements for the implementation of the approved measures.
The state government said the decisions formed part of its efforts to improve healthcare workers’ welfare, retain skilled professionals and strengthen service delivery across Kwara State.
“The approval reaffirms the commitment of the present administration to improving the welfare of healthcare professionals, retaining skilled manpower and strengthening healthcare service delivery across Kwara State,” the statement noted.
However, the government did not specify the amounts approved under the revised professional allowance table or state when the new allowances would begin to be paid.
The implementation of the approvals, including the processing of rural allowances for eligible personnel, will determine how the measures translate into improved working conditions for healthcare workers across the state.
