By Simeon Nwakaudu
The leadership style of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is centred on promoting the welfare of Rivers people. This commitment to the welfare of Rivers people has witnessed remarkable improvements in different sectors of the state.
Since May 29, 2019, the Wike administration has taken concrete steps to improve quality healthcare delivery across the state. Healthcare facilities have been revived to render affordable services to the people.
The restoration of the State’s General Hospitals has reached a highpoint. These General Hospitals were upgraded, reconstructed and equipped for quality services to different communities in the state. There are 13 of such facilities.
The completion of the five referral Zonal Hospitals and the commencement of the equipment process is a key achievement in the course of the first year of the second term.
The Zonal Hospitals when they come are stream are expected to offer tertiary healthcare services to Rivers people living outside Port Harcourt.
Recently during a meeting with the Board and Management of Philips Project Centre Limited at the Government House Port Harcourt Tuesday, Governor Wike emphasised the importance of quality healthcare delivery and why he continues to invest in the area.
“Health is very important to this administration. It is one key area that we are focusing on to improve the lives of the people.
“We are investing resources to equip the completed Zonal Hospitals that will soon come on stream. We have Zonal Hospitals in Degema , Bori, Etche, Ahoada and Omoku. We will equip Degema and Bori Zonal Hospitals because they have been completed “, he said.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government will partner with Philips Project Centre to equip the hospitals and train staff to maintain the facilities.
The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital has been upgraded, leading to the approval by the National Universities Commission for the school to undertake full-time undergraduate programmes from the 2019/2020 Academic Session in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) and Nursing Science, BNsc.
The approval followed a successful resource assessment of the College of Medical Sciences, Teaching Hospital and the Department of Nursing Sciences in November 2019 by the National Universities Commission.
In November 2019, Governor Wike commissioned the New Radiology Department of the State University Teaching Hospital, upgraded and re-equipped by his administration.
Commissioning the new health facility, Governor Wike reiterated his commitment to quality healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
Governor Wike described the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the College of Medicine as his initiative, saying that he will continue to invest in their rapid development.
This is the best and most equipped specialist health facility for mothers and children in the South-South region. It was to be a collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission, but the agency reneged. The Administration of Governor Wike drove the construction work to completion and thereafter equipped it.
It is beauty to behold and a great addition to the healthcare delivery process in Rivers State and the South-South.
In the course of his second term, Governor Wike abolished the payments of user-fees for persons living with HIV/AIDS who want to access treatment at State-owned Health facilities.
Governor Wike said that the State Government will take over the payment of the user-fees to encourage more Rivers people to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Governor Wike believes that quality healthcare is central to the productivity of the populace. This explains the huge investments to grow a healthy population that would continue to support the growth of the second largest economy in the country.