ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health, led by its Chairman, Hon. (Chief) Ferguson Onwo, conducted an oversight visit to Central Hospitals in Ughelli, Sapele, and Warri, as part of its efforts to assess healthcare services in the state. The visit, which took place on Friday, focused on key health facilities in Ughelli North, Sapele, and Warri South local government areas.
During the visits, the Committee called for stronger collaboration between the State Ministry of Health, the Hospital Management Board (HMB), and relevant organizations to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services across Delta State. Onwo, representing Isoko South 2 Constituency, emphasized that all stakeholders must work together to support the state government in meeting the healthcare needs of Deltans.
Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health Members and Dr. Paul Oweh, Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, along with Permanent Secretary Dr. Paul Okubo
Commending the efforts of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Onwo highlighted the administration’s significant investments in the state’s health sector, including modern medical equipment, facility upgrades, and staffing. He acknowledged the government’s commitment to health, despite competing demands for funding in other sectors of the state’s economy.
“There is a need for more investments in equipping our hospitals,” Onwo stated. “Government cannot do it alone. We need more standard and modern health facilities to meet the growing demands of the people.”
Onwo urged public health institutions to be more innovative in their operations, particularly in revenue generation, and to seek partnerships with manufacturers of medical equipment to address shortfalls in infrastructure and maintenance. He praised the management of Central Hospitals in Ughelli and Warri for investing in modern equipment, which has attracted more patients to the facilities for quality healthcare services. He also encouraged other hospitals in the state to adopt a similar progressive mindset.
However, the Committee raised concerns about the long-abandoned Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) projects at Central Hospitals in Sapele and Warri, which have been left unfinished for over a decade. Onwo, joined by Committee members Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Festus Utuama, and Mathew Omonade, called for the completion of these projects to enhance healthcare delivery in these regions.
The Committee also advised hospital managements to maintain regular contact with contractors handling government projects to ensure timely completion and to avoid abandoned projects in the future.
“Good healthcare is a major component of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda,” Onwo stressed. “The government expects more commitment from health workers across the state, as health is truly wealth.”
Dr. Paul Oweh, Chairman of the Hospital Management Board, along with Permanent Secretary Dr. Paul Okubo, expressed appreciation for the Assembly Committee’s oversight visit. They noted that the exercise would help improve healthcare services and strengthen the state’s healthcare system.
Dr. Oweh assured the Committee of the Board’s commitment to collaborating with relevant bodies to deliver quality healthcare services and enhance revenue generation in Delta’s hospitals. He also promised to prioritize attitudinal change among health workers through regular training and retraining to improve service delivery.
He further called on health workers to remain patriotic and resist the temptation of seeking greener pastures abroad, noting that the state government is providing good remuneration and support for healthcare professionals.
