The Nigerian Government and the Delta State Government have pledged stronger collaboration to improve healthcare delivery, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Federal Medical Centre in the state.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the centre would become one of Nigeria’s leading medical institutions, serving Delta and neighbouring states.
He commended the Delta State Government for its substantial investments in the health sector, particularly the acquisition of three helium-free MRI machines—the first of their kind 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.
Read Also: Anambra Nursing Students Go Digital With Free WiFi
“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.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, reaffirmed the State’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.
NAN