The Delta State Government has strongly rejected claims that it prioritises flashy infrastructure over grassroots healthcare, insisting that primary healthcare remains a core focus of the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The state government was reacting to recent social media comments by popular health influencer Aproko Doctor, who suggested that politicians often concentrate on flyovers and ultra-modern hospitals while neglecting primary healthcare centres.
Speaking on the issue, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, described the claims as inaccurate and not reflective of the situation in Delta State, stressing that healthcare has consistently received deliberate and strategic attention under the present administration.
According to Onojaeme, while road infrastructure and flyovers are visible symbols of development across the state, the Oborevwori administration has made sustained investments in healthcare delivery, particularly at the community level.
He disclosed that within two years, the state government has renovated 150 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial districts, out of the state’s 441 health facilities, with another 150 centres already undergoing scoping.
“This will bring the total number of renovated primary healthcare centres to 300, significantly improving access to quality healthcare at the grassroots and easing pressure on general and tertiary hospitals,” he said.
The commissioner further noted that the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme continues to record positive outcomes, including reductions in maternal and infant mortality, while easing the financial burden on families.
He revealed that Governor Oborevwori recently approved the release of ₦2 billion to sustain the programme, alongside the regular release of funds to strengthen Universal Health Coverage in the state.
Onojaeme also said state-owned hospitals now enjoy full autonomy to retain and utilise 100 per cent of their internally generated revenue, enabling faster procurement of drugs, better equipment maintenance, and improved response to patients’ needs.
On specialised healthcare, he disclosed that dialysis machines have been procured and inaugurated across state hospitals, reducing waiting times and lowering dialysis costs from about ₦70,000 to ₦45,000 per session.
He added that CT scan machines installed at Warri Central Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, are enhancing early diagnosis of cancer, stroke, and internal injuries, while newly acquired echocardiography machines are improving the detection and management of heart-related conditions.
To further expand access to advanced diagnostic services, Onojaeme said the state government has ordered three MRI machines for installation at the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri, and DELSUTH Oghara, ensuring that each senatorial district will be covered.
“While some states do not have a single MRI machine, Delta State is procuring three at once. Delivery is expected by April, as site preparations are already ongoing,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure and equipment, the commissioner disclosed plans to establish a new College of Health Sciences at Ovrode in Isoko North Local Government Area, to complement the existing institution at Ofuoma and strengthen the training of middle-level health manpower.
He also said the long-abandoned Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan is nearing completion, while another Specialist Hospital is under construction in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area, modelled after the Asaba Specialist Hospital.
Onojaeme further highlighted the achievements of the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme, noting that enrollment has exceeded 2.78 million residents as of January 2026, making it the leading state-supported health insurance programme in the country.
According to him, the scheme covers both formal and informal sector workers and prioritises vulnerable groups through the Equity Health Plan, including pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly, with recent expansion seeing the enrollment of 10,000 widows and indigent residents.
He added that the introduction of facial recognition technology at accredited healthcare facilities has improved efficiency and transparency in service delivery.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Oborevwori administration to Universal Health Coverage, Onojaeme said the government remains focused on delivering affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare to all residents of the state.
