BY RITA OYIBOKA
WHEN the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori declared that “health is wealth” during the recent commissioning of state-of-the-art medical equipment; it was not a mere political soundbite.
It was a bold statement of intent, one that resonates with Deltans who have long battled with limited access to affordable, quality healthcare.
At the heart of this transformation lies the establishment of a dialysis centre at the Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), a development that has changed the story for patients who once had to endure torturous journeys in search of life-saving treatment.
For years, residents suffering from chronic kidney disease in Asaba and its environs had only two options: travel to faraway cities like Onitsha in Anambra State or rely on the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, and a handful of private facilities where access was limited and costs were crippling.
Dialysis, an essential, thrice-weekly treatment for many, became a luxury that only a few could sustain. Stories abound of patients missing sessions due to a lack of funds or the sheer stress of travel, with outcomes often ending in tragedy. But today, the narrative is shifting.
Governor’s Commitment
Governor Oborevwori’s administration has placed healthcare at the core of his MORE Agenda, focusing on delivering affordable, accessible, and reliable services across Delta State. His commissioning of a multi-billion-naira suite of medical equipment was more than ceremonial. It represented a systemic upgrade, distributing resources equitably across the three senatorial districts.
Among the flagship acquisitions are eight hemodialysis machines, three installed at Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), three at Central Hospital, Warri, and two at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. This was complemented by 25 4D ultrasound machines, one for every local government area, and two German-made CT scanners. According to the Governor, these investments aim to drastically reduce maternal and infant mortality, enhance diagnostics, and expand access to life-saving care.
Speaking at the Central Hospital, Warri, during the inauguration, the Governor explained:“Today marks a significant milestone as we distribute 25 ultrasound scan machines, one for each of the local government areas in our state. While the symbolic gesture may be quiet, the impact will resonate across our communities. This initiative is aimed at significantly improving healthcare services, especially in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.”
But Oborevwori’s intervention went beyond equipment. He directed the Ministry of Health to begin comprehensive training for healthcare workers to ensure that these machines are properly utilised. To him, it was not enough to purchase sophisticated equipment; it had to be used effectively to save lives.
From Scarcity to Accessibility
The importance of dialysis in modern medicine cannot be overstated. Chronic kidney disease patients often require three sessions a week. Before ASH opened its dialysis unit, these patients had to endure costly, exhausting trips, sometimes with ventilated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients being uprooted just for a chance at treatment. Such strain worsened outcomes and stretched families beyond their limits.
Now, with three brand-new Nipro dialysis machines and a reverse osmosis water treatment system in place, ASH has taken a giant leap. The centre can dialyse ICU patients on-site, eliminating the risky practice of transporting critically ill patients. Moreover, the machines are capable of advanced techniques such as Sustained Low-Efficiency Dialysis (SLED) and Hemodiafiltration, services rarely available even in larger Nigerian hospitals.
The affordability factor cannot be ignored either. Dialysis is notoriously expensive in Nigeria, where treatments are largely out-of-pocket. Recognising this, the Delta State Government, in collaboration with ASH, has pegged costs at a level accessible to ordinary citizens, aligning with the Governor’s MORE Agenda commitment to affordable healthcare.
CMD’s Midas Touch
Behind every great institution is a leader who dares to dream and deliver. At ASH, that leader is Dr. Peace Ighosewe, the Chief Medical Director. Her tenure has been marked by hands-on leadership, attention to detail, and an uncompromising drive for excellence.
The transformation of ASH cannot be told without highlighting the role of its Chief Medical Director, Dr. Peace Ighosewe. A tireless leader, she embodies what it means to combine vision with execution.
Reflecting on the hospital’s journey, she said:“Over the five years that this hospital has existed, we have had to refer our patients who require dialysis out of ASH or even beyond Asaba when facilities around had issues with their machines. Some went as far as Onitsha, spending the whole day just to get dialysed. Even ICU patients had to be moved from ventilators, which was very distressing. Today, with these state-of-the-art machines, we no longer face those limitations.”
Her leadership ensured the hospital was not caught unprepared. Before the machines arrived, ASH carried out modifications and construction works to create a dedicated space for the dialysis centre. They even funded the procurement of the water treatment plant through the hospital’s internally generated revenue.
She added, “For our patients who are under the care of an anesthetist, some of them also need dialysis, and when that dialysis happens, we have already set up a place for them to have their sessions carried out, so they don’t have to be moved. We go there and get them dialysed.
“These machines can carry out dialysis for patients who require very slow sessions called SLED. It is a very high-end aspect of dialysis, and they can also perform haemodiafiltration, which is a highly technical and efficient method. We now have facilities to dialyse three patients at the same time, with room for expansion.”
The CMD went on to thank the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
In her words, “With his MORE Agenda, he has continued to show commitment to the healthcare of Deltans and beyond. With the provision of these machines, the hospital has moved much higher in terms of service delivery and provision of expertise. We are very grateful to him for his gracious approval and provision of funds for the purchase of these brand-new machines.
“The hospital now boasts three brand-new dialysis machines and a reverse osmosis system, which will greatly enhance our quality of service delivery. I would also like to thank the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojame, who has always been there to show us support and provide us with the right push to achieve results. I am also grateful to my team of health workers and all those who have made this possible,” she said.
Building on Legacy of Vision
The story of ASH is also a story of continuity in governance. Conceived under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, elevated by Governor IfeanyiOkowa, and now sustained by Governor Oborevwori, the hospital is proof of what happens when political will transcends electoral cycles. Okowa, himself a medical doctor, invested heavily in equipping the hospital and connecting it to the Delta State Independent Power Project (IPP), ensuring uninterrupted electricity, a lifeline for sensitive equipment.
Governor Oborevwori has taken that baton and raised the stakes even higher, not only sustaining the standard but expanding access with new investments across the state. His administration has also implemented the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), making Delta one of only three Nigerian states to do so, an initiative widely applauded by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The commissioning of equipment was not just about ASH. From Warri to Oghara, hospitals across the state are benefiting. Central Hospital, Warri, now has three dialysis machines, and DELSUTH in Oghara has two. Every local government has received an ultrasound scanner, bridging the gap between urban and rural healthcare delivery.
For patients and their families, these developments are not statistics; they are lifelines. Imagine Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patientsin Asaba no longer need to travel to Onitsha three times weekly, a pregnant woman in Bomadi can access an ultrasound in her own Local Government Area, and an ICU patient at ASH can now undergo dialysis safely on-site.These are the quiet revolutions happening in real time.
And at the centre of it all are healthcare professionals, from nurses to engineers, whose dedication makes the system work. Dr. Ighosewe was quick to acknowledge this:
“My deep appreciation goes to every member of our amazing team, from doctors and nurses to engineers, pharmacists, cleaners, and administrative staff. Together, we are writing a new chapter in Delta’s healthcare story.”
Healthcare, by its nature, is an evolving sector. New challenges will emerge, ranging from funding sustainability to rising patient demand. Yet, what Delta State has demonstrated is that with visionary leadership, dedicated professionals, and consistent investment, even systemic challenges can be overcome.
The Asaba Specialist Hospital today stands as a beacon of what is possible. With world-class facilities, committed leadership, and strong government backing, it embodies the belief that Nigerians deserve healthcare that is not only functional but world-class.
Governor Oborevwori summed it up best: “This administration is determined to ensure that both our hospitals and primary health centres are well-equipped to deliver quality, effective, and affordable healthcare to all Deltans.”
