5600 applicants jostle for 1000 C'River Primary Healthcare Jobs

Applicants checking list of shortlisted candidates for written screening test.

About 56,000 applicants are presently competing to clinch 1,000 jobs openings to be filled by the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, (CRSPHDA).

Speaking with newsmen in Calabar, the Director General of the agency, Dr. Beta Edu said that the agency had announced the recruitment of 1000 applicants through it portal but have received applications from over 56,000 people.

The ongoing recruitment which was announced last year is for nine cadres of health officers. This include, Community Extension Workers (1&2), Medical Doctors, Optometrists, Nurses, Midwives, Ward Orderlies, Environmental Health Workers, Pharmacists and Laboratory Technicians.

Shortlisted candidates taking aptitude test

The CRSPHDA Boss said that the exercise was aimed at equipping the existing primary healthcare centres in the state as well as providing enough man power for the new centres established under the Sen. Ben Ayade administration.

She added that last week, the 56,000 applicants had their certificates and licences screening and the successful candidates were shortlisted for written interview which commenced yesterday.

While assuring that the exercise will end soon with the shortlisting of successful candidates for oral interview, she noted that the state government was committed to improving healthcare service delivery in the state.

Edu who complained that she has received more than 4,000 appeals from difference people to influence the jobs for their candidates however noted that the Governor has given strict directives that the job placement should be on merit.

She assured that the lives of Cross Riverians will not be put at risk by employing unqualified personnel.

According to her, “What if the person you are pleading for, that is not qualified is employed and posted to your village? Imagine the number of persons she will kill if given the job.

"Presently, I have received appeal from several quarters to help over 4000 persons to get the employment. Am wondering how we will multiply 1000 to satisfy 4000 appeals for consideration; how about those who truly merit the Job but don't have anybody to plead on their behalf? It’s simple, I go with the Governor's instruction;employ only on merit”.