The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery with plans to further overhaul and upgrade more primary health centres across the state in 2026.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, made this known on Monday in Asaba while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Ministry of Health in 2025.
Dr. Onojaeme disclosed that Delta State has a total of 441 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) spread across the three senatorial districts, out of which 150 were upgraded in 2025.
“Out of the 441 primary health centres across the three senatorial districts, we were able to upgrade 150 in 2025. We are not resting on our oars; more health centres will be attended to in 2026,” he said.
He attributed the recorded successes to the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to revitalising the health sector, noting that world-class medical equipment had been procured for secondary health facilities across the state.
According to him, the procurement of modern equipment has significantly reduced the cost of critical medical services, particularly dialysis, in government hospitals.
“The Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration procured world-class medical facilities in our secondary health institutions. This has helped to reduce the cost of dialysis from N70,000 to N45,000,” he stated.
The Commissioner also revealed that the State Executive Council (EXCO) had approved the procurement of three Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines for the three senatorial districts.
“EXCO approved the procurement of three MRI machines for Central Hospital, Warri; Asaba Specialist Hospital; and Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. These are high-grade machines, and by projection, we expect their delivery in the first quarter of 2026,” he said.
Addressing manpower challenges in public hospitals, Dr. Onojaeme said the state government had recruited qualified health personnel to address gaps created by retirement, death, and voluntary exits.
“To curb manpower shortages, the state government has employed qualified personnel to fill vacant positions in our hospitals,” he noted.
He assured that all ongoing health sector projects would receive adequate attention in 2026, warning contractors handling projects under the ministry to adhere strictly to approved specifications or face sanctions.
“All ongoing projects will be attended to in 2026. Contractors must comply with standards or face severe sanctions,” he warned.
Speaking on the impact of recent reforms, the Commissioner said maternal and under-five mortality rates had reduced significantly, while routine immunisation programmes had been sustained to prevent disease outbreaks.
“Following reforms in our healthcare services, maternal mortality and under-five mortality have reduced. Regular immunisation has also been sustained,” he said.
Dr. Onojaeme added that the Oborevwori administration’s health reforms extend beyond infrastructure and equipment to the welfare of health workers, revealing that corrected remuneration had recently been approved and paid.
“The minimum a doctor received was not less than N500,000, while the highest earned about N1.8 million. This deliberate reverse remuneration approach reflects our commitment to the welfare of health workers,” he explained.
He urged residents of the state to take advantage of the improved healthcare services by embracing routine medical check-ups and healthy lifestyles to prevent diseases.