Why we gave N200 million to DELSUTH – Okowa

AS Delta State continues in its stride to remain the destination for medical tourism, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said the sum of N100 million was disbursed to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, while another N100 million would be released in the next couple of weeks.

The governor dropped the hint Tuesday February 7 2017 in Asaba while fielding questions from Journalists during a media interactive session.

“We are giving a grant of N100 million naira to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DESUTH), Oghara to enable them put it in a more favourable state,” the governor said, stating that his administration was not relenting in the funding of the health sector.

“We commissioned the Abavo hospital and Ogidigben where work was suspended, work has resumed and we are also doing renovation work in Bomadi hospital and Agbor Central hospital.

The Delta State Health Contributory Commission is fully established and key personnel have been appointed and as at today we have commenced registration and rendering of services to our pregnant women and children under 5 in our various secondary health institutions,” the governor said, disclosing, “as at today, we have registered over 4,312 pregnant women and 8,546 children and are assessing treatment through the health Commission.”

He added, “affordable premium and percentage contributions is also being worked out by the committee put up for such purpose and it is my hope that by the end of this month, we will be able to have the final amount that will be chargeable to our citizens, because, it is a contributory process; while the government will support, the individuals will have to pay a minimum amount, but all these is also after we have actually conducted studies to find the range of money that can be paid, to enable the people access this health service.”

The governor who stood for more than two hours addressing Journalists, reiterated that, “the ICT (information communication technology) platform is also being put in place for the health commission for its efficiency.

The school of Nursing which looks very basic is also very important, and for the first time, we have a law acknowledging the school of Nursing and Midwifery; it will be one of the prerequisite needed for the final accreditation of schools of nursing and midwifery and it may interest you to know that we have operated for over 20 years without the law; and it is a thing of joy that we now have a law establishing the school of nursing and midwifery and it is our hope that within the year, we will be able to have full accreditation and registration for the schools.”

Governor Okowa also disclosed that in his administration’s commitment to partnering with the private sector, “the Ministry of Health has entered into an MoU with the Novena University, they want to use our facilities for their medical school and this is because we are open to partnership with the private sector and we are doing that to enhance the possibilities of our children being able to access medical schools.