By Martins Abochol, Jalingo

The Taraba State Government has announced that medical students in the state will now receive full monthly salaries instead of the previous stipends.

Dr. Hamidu Kara, the State Head of Service, disclosed this on Thursday during an interactive session with a team of United Kingdom–based healthcare experts in Jalingo.

According to Kara, students in 100 and 200 levels will earn salaries equivalent to Grade Level 5 (GL 5), while those in 300 to 500 levels will receive Grade Level 7 (GL 7) salaries. This translates to between ₦100,000 and ₦130,000 monthly.

He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen manpower in the state’s healthcare sector.

Kara noted that the government is committed to producing high-quality healthcare professionals including nurses who can compete globally.

“We have agreed to operate on a zonal level, and plans are underway to extend support to medical students through the payment of monthly salaries,” he said.

The visiting delegation was led by Dr. Chichi Menakaya, Founder of Annomo Health, who said their mission was to collaborate with the Taraba State Government to enhance healthcare delivery and infrastructure.

Menakaya commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his leadership and commitment to improving healthcare access for residents.

“The passion of Governor Agbu Kefas is driven by his mission to enhance the healthcare of the people. Because of his dedication, the people of Taraba are motivated to pursue better health outcomes since healthcare is the foundation for everything,” she said.

She added that her team would roll out both medium and long-term intervention programmes aimed at upgrading facilities and developing the manpower needed to sustain the governor’s vision.

Also speaking, Dr. Garba Danjuma, Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Services Management Board, thanked the governor for partnering with Annomo Health Foundation. He said the five-year partnership would accelerate development in the state’s health sector.