By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Government has assured of its readiness to partner with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in providing accessible and quality healthcare services to the Ogoni people.
Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, made stated this 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, noting that the efforts are in concordance with the Rivers government policy of ensuring and enhancing access to quality healthcare.
She said that the government through the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board is furthering discussions with HYPREP on the engagement of skilled and qualified manpower to ensure quality health service delivery in the 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 it 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.
She 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 getting quality healthcare.
On his party, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, 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.
The PC disclosed 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 he noted will establish the relationship between hydrocarbon contamination and human health.
Professor Zabbey stated that the recent medical outreach carried out by the agency in Ogoni, showed a prevalence of visual impairment and requested the Commissioner to integrate that in her posting of doctors to take care of the challenges.
He 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 delivery of sustainable and effective public health in Ogoni.
Speaking on public health and access to potable water, Professor Zabbey informed that the Project is providing potable water to communities in Ogoni and informed that the 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 added that HYPREP targets to make potable water available to about 70 communities by the end of 2025.
