The Delta State Government has firmly refuted suggestions that it prioritises high-profile infrastructure projects like flyovers over grassroots healthcare, affirming that primary healthcare remains a core focus of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
Responding to remarks by health influencer Aproko Doctor, who criticised politicians for emphasising flyovers and mega hospitals while sidelining primary healthcare centres, Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, clarified that such a characterisation does not apply to Delta State.
“While roads and flyovers are visible signs of progress, healthcare has always been a major priority for this administration,” Onojaeme stated.
He revealed that in just two years, the Oborevwori government has renovated 150 primary healthcare centres across the state’s three senatorial districts out of its 441 facilities, with another 150 centres currently under assessment. This initiative is set to bring the total number of renovated primary healthcare centres to 300, greatly enhancing community-level access to quality care and easing the burden on secondary and tertiary hospitals.
The commissioner highlighted the continued success of the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare programme, which has contributed to declining maternal and infant mortality rates while significantly reducing financial strain on families. Governor Oborevwori recently approved the release of ₦2 billion to sustain the programme, in addition to regular funding to advance Universal Health Coverage.
Onojaeme also announced that state-owned hospitals now retain 100% of their internally generated revenue, empowering them to swiftly purchase drugs, service equipment, and address patient needs more effectively.
In specialised services, dialysis machines have been installed across state hospitals, cutting session costs from approximately ₦70,000 to ₦45,000 and reducing wait times. CT scan machines at Warri Central Hospital and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, are already improving diagnostic accuracy for conditions such as cancer, stroke, and internal injuries, while new echocardiography machines are enhancing early detection of cardiac issues.
To further broaden access to advanced diagnostics, the state has ordered three MRI machines for installation at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri, and DELSUTH Oghara—ensuring coverage across all three senatorial districts. “While some states lack even one MRI machine, Delta is procuring three simultaneously, with delivery expected by April as site preparations are underway,” Onojaeme noted.
On the training front, a new College of Health Sciences is being established at Ovrode in Isoko North to complement the existing institution at Ofuoma, strengthening the pipeline of mid-level health professionals.
The commissioner added that the long-stalled Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan is nearing completion, and a new Specialist Hospital is under development in Osubi, Okpe LGA, designed to match the standards of the Asaba Specialist Hospital.
“Delta State remains the only state in Nigeria with over 60 functional, government-owned hospitals, and this administration is just getting started,” he declared.
Regarding health insurance, Onojaeme reported that enrollment in the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme has exceeded 2.78 million residents as of January 2026, making it Nigeria’s most successful state-supported health insurance programme. The scheme covers formal and informal sector workers and prioritises vulnerable populations through the Equity Health Plan, including pregnant women, children under five, and the elderly. Recent expansions include the enrollment of 10,000 widows and ongoing registration of indigent residents.
To improve service delivery and transparency, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission has rolled out facial recognition technology at accredited facilities.
Onojaeme reiterated the Oborevwori administration’s unwavering commitment to Universal Health Coverage, emphasising the government’s resolve to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare to every resident of Delta State.
