The Delta State Government has expanded diagnostic services in public hospitals with the deployment of three MRI machines, three CT scanners and 25 4D ultrasound machines across the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, disclosed this during an interview on Independent Radio FM 92.3, Benin.
Ahon said the three MRI machines, which use 1.5 Tesla helium-free technology, were installed at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital, Warri, and Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
He said the investment was aimed at making specialised diagnosis available within the state and reducing the need for residents to travel outside Delta or abroad for medical services.
The governor’s aide added that the government had also acquired three CT scan machines, eight dialysis machines and other radiology and laboratory equipment for major public hospitals.
He said 25 4D ultrasound machines were distributed to general hospitals across the state’s 25 local government areas to bring advanced diagnostic services closer to residents.
Ahon also disclosed that the government had employed more than 700 healthcare workers to strengthen manpower in public health facilities.
He said the governor had directed that any doctor or nurse who leaves the state health service should be replaced immediately to prevent shortages.
“Because of his commitment to the health sector, the governor recently employed over 700 health workers. Apart from that, he equally gave a standing order that if, for any reason, any doctor or nurse ‘japa’, he or she should be replaced immediately. There is no room for a vacuum,” Ahon said.
He said the state was also providing monthly tax-free allowances of N200,000 for doctors and N100,000 for health officers as part of measures to retain medical personnel.
Ahon said more than three million residents had been enrolled in the state’s contributory health insurance scheme.
He added that children aged zero to five years receive free healthcare under the scheme, while 10,000 widows enrolled in the programme receive monthly stipends of N15,000.
The Chief Press Secretary further said the government had established a College of Health Technology at Ovrode in Isoko North Local Government Area to train middle-level health workers.
He added that a College of Medicine had also been established at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, to strengthen the state’s medical workforce.
Ahon said the healthcare interventions were part of the administration’s MORE Agenda to expand medical infrastructure, improve access to healthcare and strengthen the availability of skilled health workers across Delta State.
