y Kayode Olopade
The Delta State Executive Council has approved a series of major health sector projects, including the equipping of newly completed hospitals, the establishment of specialised medical units and the upgrade of facilities aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Briefing journalists after the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, said the approvals reflected the administration's commitment to providing quality healthcare services for Deltans.
He disclosed that the Mother and Child Hospital, Ekpan whose construction was awarded in 2011, had been completed, adding that the Executive Council approved the procurement of medical equipment for the facility to enable it commence operations soon.
According to him, the hospital would soon be opened for use by residents following the installation of the required equipment. Onojaeme also said the state had strengthened maternal and child healthcare services with the completion of three Mother and Child Hospitals located in Ekpan Owa-Alero and Central Hospital, Warri.
He further announced that the Executive Council approved the ceding of Central Hospital, Kwale, as the take-off facility for the proposed teaching hospital of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale.
The commissioner described the development as a major milestone for the state, noting that the teaching hospital would create employment opportunities for health professionals and other categories of workers while enhancing medical education and specialised healthcare services.
He added that with the recent approval by the Federal Government for the establishment of one oncology centre in every federal teaching hospital, Delta State stood to benefit immensely from advanced cancer care services through the proposed institution.
According to him, the teaching hospital would become the state's first federal university teaching hospital, bringing specialised healthcare closer to the people.
Dr. Onojaeme also disclosed that following a comprehensive needs assessment of health facilities across the state, the Executive Council approved the procurement of modern medical equipment for public hospitals and the establishment of new specialised departments.
Among the approvals, he said, was the upgrading and equipping of the state's Public Health Laboratory to enable it conduct advanced investigations for infectious diseases, including Ebola and other public health emergencies, without sending samples 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 challenge the upgraded laboratory would eliminate.
The commissioner further revealed that the Executive Council approved the establishment and equipping of neuropsychiatric units in selected hospitals to address the increasing cases of mental health disorders and substance abuse.
He also announced the approval for the establishment of oncology services, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities, in the state.
According to him, many cancer patients currently travel to Lagos and other parts of the country for treatment, often spending weeks away from home, but the new facilities would ensure that such specialised services become available within Delta State.
He said the approvals underscored Governor Oborevwori's commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring that residents have access to world-class medical services without leaving the state.
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