By Mokobia Rita
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has approved a sweeping package of health sector reforms aimed at expanding access to specialised medical care, strengthening disease surveillance, improving maternal and child healthcare, and laying the foundation for advanced medical education in the state.
The far-reaching decisions, approved at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, include the equipping of newly completed hospitals, the establishment of oncology and neuropsychiatric units, the upgrade of the state’s public health laboratory, and the designation of Central Hospital, Kwale, as the take-off facility for the proposed Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences Teaching Hospital.
Briefing journalists after the meeting at Government House, Asaba, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described the approvals as a strategic investment in the future of healthcare delivery in Delta State and a demonstration of the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to providing quality and accessible medical services for all residents.
A key highlight of the approvals is the procurement and installation of medical equipment for the Mother and Child Hospital, Ekpan, whose construction commenced in 2011 but has now been completed.
Dr. Onojaeme said the facility would become operational immediately after the installation of the equipment, thereby expanding access to quality maternal and child healthcare services in the state.
He noted that the completion of the Ekpan hospital, alongside the Mother and Child Hospitals in Owa-Alero and the Central Hospital, Warri, represents another significant milestone in the state’s efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality while improving healthcare outcomes for women and children.
In what he described as a landmark development, the commissioner announced that the Executive Council had approved the ceding of Central Hospital, Kwale, as the temporary take-off facility for the proposed Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale.
According to him, the teaching hospital will become Delta State’s first federal university teaching hospital and is expected to enhance medical education, deepen clinical research, provide specialised healthcare services and create employment opportunities for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other support personnel.
Dr. Onojaeme said the approval also positions Delta State to benefit from the Federal Government’s initiative to establish oncology centres in federal teaching hospitals across the country, bringing advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment closer to residents.
He further disclosed that, following a comprehensive assessment of healthcare facilities across the state, the Executive Council approved the procurement of modern medical equipment for public hospitals and the establishment of specialised medical departments to improve service delivery.
Among the approvals is the upgrading and equipping of the state’s Public Health Laboratory to enable it conduct advanced diagnostic tests for infectious diseases such as Ebola and other public health emergencies without depending on laboratories outside the state.
He recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, samples had to be transported to laboratories in Edo State and Abuja for analysis, a situation that often delayed diagnosis and response.
“The upgraded laboratory will eliminate that challenge by ensuring that critical investigations can be carried out within Delta State,” he said.
The commissioner also announced the establishment and equipping of neuropsychiatric units in selected public hospitals to strengthen mental healthcare services and respond to the growing incidence of mental health disorders and substance abuse.
In addition, the Executive Council approved the establishment of comprehensive oncology services, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities, to provide specialised cancer treatment within the state.
Dr. Onojaeme noted that many cancer patients currently travel to Lagos and other parts of the country for treatment, often at considerable financial and emotional cost.
He said the new facilities would enable patients to receive quality cancer care closer to home, reducing the burden on families while improving treatment outcomes.
According to the commissioner, the approvals reflect Governor Oborevwori’s determination to build a modern, resilient and efficient healthcare system capable of meeting the evolving health needs of Deltans.
He added that the initiatives align with the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda and are designed to ensure that residents have access to world-class medical services without the need to travel outside the state for specialised treatment.
