The Delta State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (DSPHDA), which is responsible for managing the state’s healthcare system, is facing serious allegations. Many people are worried that some leaders are breaking the rules by giving important jobs to their friends instead of qualified professionals. This could affect the quality of healthcare in the state and put lives at risk.
The Problem
There is a rule in the civil service that says when a senior officer can no longer do their job, the next most qualified person should take over. But at DSPHDA, this rule was ignored. Instead, Dr. Paul Yinkore (Acting Executive Director) and Dr. Anibor Matthew (Director of Disease Control/Immunization) gave the job of Acting State Nutrition Officer to someone who is a junior officer and not even from the nutrition department. This happened after the former State Nutrition Officer (SNO) passed away. Many qualified senior officers were ignored.
Unfair Treatment
A source inside the agency revealed that experienced officers, who are more qualified, were pushed aside so that the junior officer who is not in the state nutrition cader to take the position. This has caused problems, especially with important programs like child nutrition and breastfeeding campaigns. These programs help children grow healthy, but now they are not running as smoothly as before.
The Incident with Dr. Yinkore
When journalists tried to ask Dr. Yinkore about the situation, he was very angry. Instead of answering questions, he asked how they got his phone number and even accused them of being kidnappers. “Do I know you? Do you want to embarrass me?” he shouted. He even threatened to take legal action against the journalist.
A Questionable Letter
The problem got worse when a letter, dated July 28, 2024, surfaced. In the letter, Dr. Anibor Michael introduced someone as the Acting State Nutrition Officer to the Federal Ministry of Health. The letter even told officials to stop working with the experienced senior officers who used to handle nutrition programs. This caused even more confusion and made many workers unhappy.
What the Commissioner of Health Said
When asked about the issue, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, admitted that he was aware of the problem. He said, “Yes, I am aware of the issue, and we are working to resolve it amicably.” However, the issue has still not been fixed, and the wrong person remains in the position of State Nutritionist.
Since this is a serious issue, journalists also tried to contact the Delta State Head of Service, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, to hear his side of the story. They visited his office and even submitted a letter, but after several weeks, he still did not respond.
Why This Matters
- Healthcare at Risk – Giving important jobs to unqualified people can harm public health.
- Breaking the Rules – Ignoring civil service rules is unfair and damages trust in the system.
- Unhappy Workers – Pushing aside qualified staff lowers morale and makes the healthcare system weaker.
What Should Be Done?
To fix this issue, the Delta State Government must:
- Investigate the agency’s leadership.
- Make sure only qualified people get important roles.
- Put strict rules in place to stop this from happening again.
- Act fast to restore trust in the healthcare system.
A Call for Action
The people of Delta State deserve a healthcare system that works for them. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Federal Ministry of Health must step in and ensure that the right people are in the right positions. This is not about politics; it is about saving lives and ensuring a better future for everyone in Delta State.
