Sam Ikeotuonye
Lagos — The Rivers State Government has assured to partner with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, in provideing access to quality healthcare services to Ogoni.
Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, the Rivers State Commissioner of Health, made this disclosure during her visit to the Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, at the Project Coordination Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Dr Oreh commended HYPREP for the public health interventions in Ogoni, which include the construction of the 100 bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital, the Buan Cottage Hospital and the health strengthening of the Bori, Terabor, Kpite and Nchia health centres.
She noted that the efforts are in concordance with the Rivers government policy of ensuring and enhancing access to quality healthcare as she disclosed that the government, through the Rivers State Hospital Management Board, is furthering discussions with HYPREP on the engagement of skilled and qualified manpower to ensure quality health service delivery in the health facilities when fully operational.
”We will be working closely with HYPREP to ensure the deployment of skilled health worker force to the Cottage Hospital following its commissioning and formal handover. We also await the wisdom of the Governing Council of HYPREP to outline the (strategic) operational framework for the Specialist Hospital. Because we have a close working relationship will be informed of how HYPREP Governing Council seeks for that facility to be run,” she said.
The Health Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the State government to work closely with HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are not left behind in terms of quality healthcare.
Speaking, Professor Zabbey said the Project cherishes the relationship with the State government, especially the Health Ministry as key stakeholders in the effort to provide quality health services to Ogoni as the facilities are owned by the State.
He mentioned that to further drive access to healthcare in Ogoni, HYPREP will be strengthening more health facilities in Taabaa, Bodo, Nonwa and Onne and launch a comprehensive health study to be conducted by the World Health Organization, WHO. The study will establish the relationship between hydrocarbon contamination and human health.
Professor Zabbey disclosed that the recent medical outreach carried out by HYPREP in Ogoni, presented a prevalence of visual impairment and requested the Hon Commissioner to integrate that in her posting of doctors to take care of the challenges.
The recent HYPREP medical outreach, a special purpose vehicle, benefitted over 7,000 patients. A breakdown of the statistics reveals that general surgeries was 203, fibroid (myomectomy) surgeries, 54, cataract surgeries, 100, with 825 glasses issued, 476 dental cares (teeth polishing and scaling) and 1 birth delivery and caesarean section (emergency)
The HYPREP boss assured that the Project will continue to work collaboratively with the ministry to provide robust fit for purpose health support to the Ogoni people, adding that the hospital in Ogoni are open for everybody as the spill over effect of the health services in the region and neigbouring state cannot be quantified. He stated that the Project is keen on delivering sustainable effective public health in Ogoni.
Speaking on public health and access to potable water, Professor Zabbey informed that the Project is potable providing water to communities in Ogoni and informed that the Hon Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal will next month commission 2 additional water projects in Beeri, Khana and Bunu, Tai LGAs. He disclosed that HYPREP targets to provide potable water to about 70 communities by the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, the Buan Cottage Hospital has hit 87% completion, while the Ogoni Specialist Hospital is at 52% completion. Both projects will be completed this year for use.
