(DDM) – The Delta State Government has rejected claims that it prioritises flashy infrastructure over primary healthcare.
DDM gathered that the comments followed social media criticism from health influencer Aproko Doctor.
The influencer suggested politicians often focus on flyovers and modern hospitals while neglecting grassroots healthcare centres.
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, dismissed the assertion as inaccurate for the state.
He said roads and flyovers may be visible, but healthcare remains a key priority of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Onojaeme disclosed that 150 primary healthcare centres have been renovated across the three senatorial districts in the past two years.
He added that another 150 centres are already being scoped, bringing the total to 300 soon.
The initiative aims to improve community-level access and reduce pressure on general and tertiary hospitals.
The commissioner highlighted the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme as a major success.
He noted steady reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates as a result of the programme.
Governor Oborevwori recently approved ₦2 billion to sustain these healthcare initiatives.
Onojaeme also said state-owned hospitals now retain 100% of internally generated revenue for prompt procurement and maintenance.
He revealed that dialysis machines have been installed across state hospitals, reducing costs from ₦70,000 to ₦45,000 per session.
CT scan machines at Warri Central Hospital and DELSUTH Oghara have improved diagnosis speed and accuracy for serious conditions.
Echocardiography machines have also been procured to enhance early detection of heart-related ailments.
The state government has ordered three MRI machines for Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri, and DELSUTH Oghara.
Delivery of the MRI machines is expected by April, ensuring all three senatorial districts have high-end imaging access.
Beyond equipment, the government is establishing a new College of Health Sciences at Ovrode, complementing the existing institution at Ofuoma.
The long-abandoned Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan is nearing completion.
Another Specialist Hospital is under development in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, modelled after Asaba Specialist Hospital.
Onojaeme stated that Delta State has over 60 functional government-owned hospitals, the highest in Nigeria.
On health insurance, the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme now covers more than 2.78 million residents.
The scheme targets formal and informal workers, prioritising vulnerable groups via the Equity Health Plan.
Recent expansions include enrolling 10,000 widows and registering indigent residents.
Facial recognition technology has been introduced at accredited facilities to improve efficiency and transparency.
Onojaeme reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage.
He stressed that affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare remains a central goal for all Deltans.
The commissioner urged the public to recognise the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare services across the state.
