The Federal and Delta State Governments have pledged stronger collaboration to expand healthcare delivery, following an Memorandum of Understanding
By Abujah Racheal
The Federal and Delta State Governments have pledged stronger collaboration to expand healthcare delivery, following an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in the state.
Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Monday in Abuja, said the FMC would become one of the leading medical institutions in Nigeria, serving Delta and neighbouring states.
Salako comm
ended the Delta government for its significant investments in the health sector, including the acquisition of three helium-free MRI machines, the first in any government facility in the country.
“Delta is pioneering helium-free MRI technology in Nigeria, and we will closely monitor its performance to assess the benefits over conventional machines,” the minister said.
He noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, health had been prioritised as the foundation of productivity, leading to the rapid expansion of tertiary healthcare facilities nationwide.
“The FMC will provide specialised care so that no resident of Delta State will need to travel outside for treatment.
“It will also contribute to improved health indicators and reduce the hardships caused by ill health,” he added.
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to healthcare.
He said that the state now operated 65 General Hospitals, 441 primary healthcare centres, and three tertiary institutions under construction.
Emu said the governor, though not a medical doctor, had prioritised health alongside infrastructure development, with new hospitals, schools of health, and faculties of medicine established in less than two years.
“Our contributory health scheme is one of the most inclusive in Nigeria, covering more than two million people, including 10,000 widows recently enrolled.
“The governor has ensured that maternal care and the informal sector remained at the heart of this scheme,” he stated.
The governor’s representative added that the deployment of MRI and CT scan equipment across secondary hospitals was aimed at reducing dependence on the private sector and ensuring equitable access.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both the Federal and state governments pledged continued partnership to ensure the FMC delivers on its mandate of providing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare to the people of Delta and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)