BAYELSA BUILDS FIVE REFERRAL HOSPITALS, TWO HEALTH CENTRES READY FOR COMMISSIONING

BAYELSA BUILDS FIVE REFERRAL HOSPITALS, TWO HEALTH CENTRES READY FOR COMMISSIONING  

The Bayelsa State Government has commenced the construction of five referral hospitals in parts of the State to boost qualitative health care service delivery to the people of the State.

  Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr Anapurere Awoli announced this in Yenagoa while conducting newsmen round projects embarked upon by the ministry across the state as part of the one year anniversary of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson’s administration. 

The projects which are being kick-started in five Local Government Areas are located in Sagbama, Ogbia, Ekeremor, Southern-Ijaw and Kolokuma/Opokuma Council Areas, while the remaining three Local Governments of Brass, Yenagoa and Nembe were excludedbecause of the medical facilities already existing in those areas.Awoli said the five referral hospitals which contracts were awarded in  February, 2013 have a nine months completition period.

  He explained that because of the seriousness Government attached to the welfare of workers, the State Government is also constructing a 20-bed civil servants clinic at the State secretariat complex.According to the commissioner, the State Government Emergency ambulance unit boosts of a number ambulance vehicles and boats, a situation which according to him, assisted in creating a zero mortality rate during last year’s floods in the State.

The commissioner noted that “Governor Dickson sees health as very important and therefore, on assumption of duty set up the HIV/AIDS Agency, a bold step that has helped in curbing the HIV/AIDS prevalent rate in the state.”Awoli expressed Government’s desire to urgently put into use the 500-bed Melford Okilo Memorial Hospital, Yenagoa, which has now been reduced to a 375-bed hospital to better serve the purpose of health care delivery for the people of the State.

The commissioner added that medical equipment and drugs have been distributed to Health Centres across the state, noting that two Health Centres at Otakeme and Elemebiri in Ogbia and Sagbama Local Government Areas would be commissioned during the Governor’s one year anniversary.

At the Bayelsa State Government owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, the commissioner listed some completed projects to include a combined medical ward, Gyneacology ward, walk ways, among others.

The Chief Medical Director of the Teaching Hospital, Dr. Onyaye Euphemia Kunle-Olowu conducted the commissioner and the media team round facilities at the health institution.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson                                                                        
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State