According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Indeed, Good health is crucial for a fulfilling life, enabling individuals to live longer, enjoy life, and achieve their full potential. Good health is, also, essential for a healthy society, fostering productivity and economic growth. By prioritizing health, individuals can prevent diseases, improve their mental and emotional well-being, and experience enhanced quality of life.
Apart from medical personnel like doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical laboratory technologists and administrative staff that keep medical records, a good hospital should be adequately equipped with medical equipment to enable medical personnel to perform their duties optimally for the overall health benefit of mankind and society at large.
It is in recognition of this fact that the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is making giant and dedicated strides in repositioning the healthcare sector of the state economy for operational efficiency in terms of service delivery by providing state-of-the-art medical equipment in state-owned hospitals across the state.
Only recently, the Governor inaugurated a multi-billion naira set of cutting-edge medical equipment in a bold step to transform healthcare delivery across the state. The newly acquired facilities included eight haemodialysis machines, 25 4D user-friendly ultrasound scanners, and two German-manufactured strong CT scan machines.
The state-of-the-art devices were distributed across the three senatorial districts in the state, significantly boosting diagnostic and treatment capabilities at government-owned health institutions.
Speaking at the inauguration at the Central Hospital Warri, Governor Oborevwori said procurement of the medical facilities was to improve health care delivery in the state. The Governor, who invited the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) to inaugurate the medical equipment, said “We have eight dialysis machines, three for Central Hospital Warri, two dialysis machines for Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara and the other three for Asaba Specialist Hospital (ASH), Asaba.
“We also have 25 ultrasound scan machines for each of the 25 local government areas, we have two CT-Scan machines, one already installed at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, while the other one is awaiting installation at the Central Hospital, Warri.
“The Warri Central Hospital has been very good and there is no way we are going to neglect Warri. You can see that our Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), is also here because Warri is dear to him.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, praised Governor Oborevwori for his visionary leadership, describing the equipment rollout as a milestone in Delta’s healthcare journey, saying “These include eight haemodialysis machines to be distributed across the three state districts, 25 4D user-friendly ultrasound scan, and a CT scan.
“After consulting with major health facilities in the state, it was noted that the Asaba Specialist Hospital and the Mother and Child Hospital in Warri already have functioning CT scans. In his wisdom, the Governor approved the purchase of two brand-new, rugged German CT scans to serve the remaining districts.”
He also lauded Governor Oborevwori for the prompt payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) to all resident doctors in the state, an initiative recognized by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) during their recent Ordinary General Meeting.
“Delta is now one of only three states to have fully implemented the MRTF policy. In NARD’s communiqué, they acknowledged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as one of the only three governors in Nigeria to approve the MRTF.
“We also commend His Excellency for his unwavering support and protection in efforts to sanitize the nursing profession. He has made it clear that admissions into nursing schools must be based on merit alone, without external influence. I encourage our leaders to emulate this standard if we are to truly build a strong and effective healthcare system,” Dr. Onojaeme added.
The highlight of the event which, also, spotlighted the Governor’s consistent support for medical professionals, was the formal inauguration of the equipment by Governor Oborevwori amid applause and optimism for a healthier Delta.
Meanwhile, soon after inaugurating the medical equipment, the Governor proceeded to Upper and Lower Erejuwa Road in Warri, where he inaugurated multiple strategic road projects in Warri South Local Government Area of the state as part of activities marking his second anniversary in office.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Governor Oborevwori urged residents of Warri metropolis to maintain the prevailing peace to foster continued development.
Other roads inaugurated simultaneously included the General Hospital Road linking the Police Command Road, Ajamimogha/Mabiaku Link Road, Ogunu Community main and internal roads, Ugbuwangue Community Roads, and Okere Market Road, all in the Warri metropolis.
“The roads we are commissioning today are of strategic importance, not only for trade and commerce but also, for our broader urban renewal efforts. With good roads, our people are happier and more productive. I assure you, we will continue to do our best for our people. When the roads are good, you don’t have to worry about your vehicle or the journey; it becomes smoother and safer.
“I renew my pledge to restore the lost glory of Warri and Effurun through robust infrastructure development. The construction of the three flyovers and slip roads by Julius Berger has reached an advanced stage, and we expect to commission them by the first quarter of next year.
“Another major priority is the reconstruction of the stadium. We initially sought land in Warri to construct a 30,000-seat stadium. Unfortunately, we could not find a space large enough within the city. Many insisted the stadium must remain in Warri and not be relocated. To that end, we have awarded the contract, and we are hopeful that, by the first quarter of next year, the Warri Stadium will be completed.
“We are fully committed to the mission of advancing Delta State—in every sense: physically, economically, and in human development. In the coming weeks and months, we shall be commissioning several new projects across the three senatorial districts.
“Meanwhile, as I mentioned during the maiden State of the State Address, the issue of the recent ward delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is being urgently attended to by the relevant federal authorities. So, all interested parties should please, maintain the peace and desist from utterances and actions capable of heating up the polity.
“Do not drag us into unnecessary issues, please. You know me in Warri, I am managing everybody because the issues are too sensitive. There is no way anybody can drag me into any issue they have here. Nobody can drag me in because I am managing them very well and they are also managing me very well.
“To our youth, I encourage you to remain calm, and law-abiding, and take advantage of the many vocational training programmes available. These programmes are designed to provide you with practical, technical skills necessary to build a sustainable future,” he said.
He reminded everyone that the practice of ‘Deve’ (unauthorized levies on land developers) has been outlawed since 2018, saying “As Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly at the time, I received the executive bill, which we passed into law and it was assented to.”
According to him, anyone who trespasses or unlawfully enters private property will face the full weight of the law. This law, he said, was enacted to eliminate barriers to land acquisition and to position Delta State as a top destination for investors, adding that the state holds vast investment opportunities.
On insecurity in the state, Governor Oborevwori called for patience, saying his administration was working closely with security agencies to combat the menace, saying “Let me assure all residents that the government is constantly working in collaboration with security agencies to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities. We are working around the clock to ensure peace and security.
“In the meantime, I urge the public to stay vigilant. Be observant of unusual activities or movements in your communities and report any suspicious behaviour to the appropriate authorities. These criminals live among us, not far away. With collective vigilance and cooperation, we will overcome our security challenges.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, said the roads were deliberate urban renewal efforts of the Oborevwori administration in the Warri metropolis. He said with the current tempo of transformation in the oil city and other parts of the state, the MORE Agenda was on course and sought the support of all in fast-tracking development.
Earlier, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Weyinmi Isaac, applauded the Governor for the uncommon transformation his administration had brought to the state and the local government area, adding that the people of the local government were pleasantly pleased with the massive infrastructural development of his administration.
