No fewer than 415 temporary hospital workers across all secondary health facilities in Ogun State have been fully regularized and absorbed into the normal pensionable appointment of the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Olayinka Elemide, who spoke during the regularization exercise held at the Staff Development Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, on Friday, disclosed that the health workers had been carrying out their duties for some time.

Dr. Elemide stated that the formal regularization would boost their morale and enhance service delivery, ultimately leading to more effective healthcare for the people of the state.

Appreciating the governor, she said: “This absorption and regularization exercise is unprecedented in the history of the state.

“On behalf of the entire management of the Hospitals Management Board and the 415 locum hospital workers, I want to thank the governor for his large heart and kind consideration.”

Reacting to the development, Sanni Akanni, Gbeminiyi Jacob, Olugbenga Agida, and Ayantunji Ibrahim from General Hospitals, Imeko Afon, Atan, Ilaro, and Iperu, respectively, alongside Mrs. Solaja Deborah from State Hospital, Ijaiye Abeokuta, expressed their gratitude to the governor on behalf of others. They described the gesture as rare and promised to be more dedicated, productive, diligent, and committed to the discharge of their duties.

The ad hoc workers, in their numbers, took turns to have their documents and certificates verified by officers from the Bureau of Establishment and Training, led by the permanent secretary of the bureau, Lydia Fajohunbo, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the service.

The absorbed workers included pharmacy technicians, medical laboratory technicians, health attendants, assistant data processing officers, medical record technicians, medical imaging technicians, dental surgery technicians, clerical officers, cooks, gardeners, drivers, craftsmen, watchmen, and mortuary and health attendants.