Delta Moves to Boost Healthcare Workforce as 700 Jobs Open Across Key Facilities

In a strategic push to strengthen its healthcare system, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the recruitment of more than 700 medical and support personnel across various health institutions in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, who made the disclosure during a press briefing, said the initiative is part of a broader plan to match manpower with the state’s expanding health infrastructure.
He noted that recent upgrades, including the transformation of General Hospital Warri into a Central Hospital and the near completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan, have significantly increased demand for skilled personnel.
According to him, the recruitment will see 295 staff deployed to the Hospital Management Board, while the Delta State University Teaching Hospital will take in 120 workers. The College of Health Technology, Ovrode, is expected to absorb 100 personnel, with additional allocations to Asaba Specialist Hospital and Warri Central Hospital.
Onojaeme explained that the move is also a response to the persistent migration of health professionals abroad, commonly referred to as the “Japa syndrome,” which has left noticeable gaps in the system.
“The government has maintained a policy of replacing personnel who exit the system to ensure continuity in service delivery,” he said.
Beyond recruitment, the state is also investing in critical healthcare infrastructure. The Commissioner revealed that a State Public Health Laboratory is nearing completion, a development that will eliminate the need to send medical samples to Abuja, as was the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that a new psychiatric hospital under construction would further expand service capacity, while modern medical equipment, including three 1.5 Tesla MRI machines, has been procured to improve diagnostic services.
In addition, the state has recorded progress in dialysis services, with treatment costs significantly reduced, making care more accessible to residents.
Onojaeme assured that the recruitment exercise would be conducted transparently, with vacancies to be publicly advertised. He noted that the process would cover a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and support staff.
The initiative, he stressed, is expected to not only address manpower shortages but also improve healthcare delivery and overall patient outcomes across Delta State.