Inside one of the hospitals fixed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
By Collins Agwam
Investing in a strong and resilient healthcare sector that focuses on people’s needs is one of the major areas Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has concentrated on since his ascension to office five years ago.
Having served his people meritoriously for severally years as an accomplished medical doctor, the Governor knew from day one that prosperity for all Deltans means a revitalized healthcare system that guarantees a healthy and productive people capable of meeting and surmounting their daily challenges.
Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration upon assumption of office in 2015 made a commitment to prioritize the revamping of the healthcare sector which has since witnessed a complete turn around in its fortunes. For Ekwueme, every Deltan, young or old has the right to a good healthcare system that is accessible and affordable.
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They say it takes genius to know another genius, but I would say it takes a medical doctor to know another medical doctor who is compassionate about providing standard healthcare delivery for his people.
Some months ago, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire who was in Asaba for the 62nd National Council on Health (NCH) meeting heaped praises on Okowa for the giant strides the Governor has recorded within a short period in Delta state’s healthcare system.
Seeing the quality of healthcare services made available by his colleague, the Minister poured encomium on the Governor and crowned him the trailblazer of healthcare.
The minister pointed out that Okowa’s successes in the contributory health insurance scheme, renovation and refurbishing of hospitals and primary healthcare centres and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets are great achievements that only a Governor who wants the best for his people can achieve in a short period of time.
Today, Delta state through the state University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), can boast of having one of the best Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the country. The unit takes care of pre-term and sick babies who, hitherto, would not have had the chance of survival.
This is a reflection of the success of the free maternal healthcare programme among others which the present administration has continued to implement in spite of limited resources.
Governor Okowa inspecting one of the recently equipped hospital in Delta.
It is clear as daylight that Governor Okowa has done a lot in healthcare since his assumption of office in 2015. His achievements recorded in the sector in the last five years are, but not limited to;
1. Purchase of medical/laboratory equipment and infrastructural repair to meet accreditation requirements in College of Health Technology, Ofuoma, Ughelli North LGA. Ofuoma, Ughelli.
2 Remodelling/Rehabilitation of the Renal Dialysis Building at the Central Hospital, Warri.
3- Renovation and re-equipping of Children’s ward at the General Hospital, Patani.
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4- Total Renovation, equipping, furnishing, purchase of brand new Ambulance, and upgrading of Cottage Hospital, Abavo to the full status of an ultra-modern standard General Hospital. Azuowa-Abavo.
5- Rehabilitation of water supply scheme at the general hospital, Patani , Patani L.G.A.
6 -Construction of internal and external access roads at the Cottage Hospital, Azuowa-Abavo in Ika South L.G.A. Completed. Azuowa-Abavo.
7- Procurement of hospital equipment at the general hospital, Patani in Patani L.G.A..Patani.
8- Procurement of 9 Nos. Oxygen Concentrators. spread across the three Senatorial Zones in Delta State.
9- Recommencement of Work at Central Hospital, Asaba.
10-Restructuring of Delta State Emergency services and payment of all outstanding commitments.
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11- Supply of 10,000 NoS., mama kits to health centres in the State.
12- Renovation and remodification of Central hospital, Agbor. (Group A) in Ika South LGA Agbor.
13- Repair of faulty medical equipment in ten hospitals across the state (3 senatorial districts).
14- Distribution of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) forms in Delta State.
15- Total remodelling and Procurement of equipment for Accident and Emergency ward at General Hospital, Patani, Patani L.G.A.
16- Supply of medical equipment to Udomi-Abavo Primary Healthcare centre and surrounding Health centres in Ika South Local Government Area Udomi-Abavo.
17- Construction of ultra-modern 400m3/Day MBR sewage treatment plant at DELSUTH Oghara DELSUT, Oghara.
18- Supply and installation of incinerators and its shelters at DELSUTH, Oghara DELSUT, Oghara.
19 Grant to DELSUTH for major equipment repairs, MRI, CT Scan, Mobile X-ray and power supply. DELSUT, Oghara.
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20-Administration Block completed at School of Nursing Warri to improve on office accommodation.
21-The Free Maternal and Free Under-5 Healthcare Programmes.
22-Financial assistance by Government to vulnerable and impoverished Deltans for treatment.
23-Training of Paramedics at College of Health Technology (CHT), Ofuoma. After adequate training, including possible overseas exposure, these paramedics would be well-armed to run our reformed Emergency Medical System(EMS)/Ambulance services in the state.
24-Construction of students’ hostel at School of Nursing, Agbor. This project is to meet Nursing Council’s requirements for increasing the student admission quota to 50 like Eku and Warri.
25- Establishment of Sickle Cell Clinics at various hospitals in the State. So far, over 15 of such clinics have been established. One each at Ughelli, Sapele, Eku, Oleh, Patani, Agbor and Kwale, among others.
26- Upon assumption of office,Governor Okowa promised Deltans to pursue legislation that will support and promote Universal Health Insurance Policy for all Deltans. The inauguration of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, marks the fulfillment of that promise.
27-Signing into law the Bill establishing the Delta State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery.
28-.Training of personnel on various programmes, including control of diseases of public health importance has been ongoing.
29- Construction of modern Isolation Ward at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.
30-Drug Revolving Fund (DRF). Since his assumption of office, the DRF has supplied drugs, medical consumable and laboratory reagents worth millions of Naira to hospitals in the state. There has been improved drug supply across the state.
Collins writes from Asaba.
agwamcollins@gmail.com
