FCT unveils national health fellows selection committee

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, through its Health Services and Environment Secretariat, has inaugurated the FCT National Health Fellows Selection Committee in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to recruit Health Fellows across the country.

Recently, the Federal Government launched the National Health Fellows Programme, led by the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative/Sector-Wide Approach under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The programme is designed to develop a new generation of healthcare leaders through strategic capacity building, professional development, and impactful fieldwork.

The initiative aims to engage young Nigerian fellows from all 774 Local Government Areas under a sector-wide approach.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, stressed that the initiative is a strategic investment in human resources for health.

A statement signed by Bola Ajao, the Special Adviser on Media to Fasawe, noted that she described the programme as part of the Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equity Programme, designed to recruit talented youths and early-career professionals as vanguards of the health sector.

Dr Fasawe emphasised the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade existing Primary Health Care centres and establish new ones across the country.

She added that this initiative aligns with the commitment of the FCTA, under the leadership of FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, to provide a strong and functional healthcare system for the people of Abuja.

She further stated that the newly recruited fellows would play a vital role in overseeing activities at these facilities, offering feedback to the government, and performing other key tasks to enhance the nation’s healthcare.

The Mandate Secretary urged committee members to be diligent, fair, and impartial in the selection process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are chosen.

“The selected fellows will undergo training in leadership, public health, financial management, problem-solving, and monitoring and evaluation, all aimed at achieving the objectives of the initiative,” the statement read.

The Permanent Secretary of HSES, Baba Gana Adam, who serves as the Vice Chairman of the committee, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to improving the health sector.

He also expressed gratitude to the FCTA for the opportunity to contribute to efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and addressing the health challenges facing both the FCT and the country.

Earlier, the FCT State Coordinator for the World Health Organisation, Dr Kumshida Yakubu Balami, explained that the programme is housed under the SWAp Secretariat in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

She outlined WHO-issued guidelines to ensure the programme’s smooth coordination.

“One of these guidelines mandates the establishment of a seven-member National Health Fellows Selection Committee, a requirement that the FCTA has fully complied with. The committee is responsible for overseeing the entire selection process, screening candidates, and submitting a semi-final list to the SWAp Coordinator’s office,” Balami said.

Members of the committee include Dan Gadzama, Teresa Nwachukwu (SWAp desk officer), Aderonke Akande, Maimuna Abdullahi, and Danladi Chiya.

“The inauguration marks a significant step in advancing Nigeria’s healthcare system by fostering a new generation of health leaders and ensuring better healthcare service delivery nationwide,” the statement concluded.