By Joy Onu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed that improving access to quality healthcare remains a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with plans to expand federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this in Abuja while receiving the Ovie of Udu Kingdom in Delta State, Michael Ogheneove Orugbo, during a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Salako said the establishment of additional federal tertiary hospitals across Nigeria demonstrates the administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring quality medical services for citizens.
According to him, the current administration has established more federal tertiary health institutions within a short period than previous governments, reflecting the President’s determination to improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
The minister noted that the newly created Oviam Federal Medical Centre was approved by President Tinubu, adding that the government of Delta State had shown strong cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Health to facilitate the project.
He disclosed that the Medical Director of the facility had been directed to develop a five-year strategic plan to guide budgeting and operations, assuring that a groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent site would take place before the end of the President’s first term.
Salako also commended the Ovie of Udu Kingdom for donating drugs worth millions of naira to the hospital, while acknowledging the community’s donation of land for the permanent site and digital equipment provided by the Oyeye Foundation.
The minister urged the host community to take ownership of the facility by protecting it and collaborating with the government to ensure the continuity of development plans for the hospital.
He further directed the Medical Director to liaise with the digital team in the ministry’s Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics to properly integrate the donated digital equipment into the ministry’s health information system.
Earlier, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Orugbo, said the delegation visited the ministry to express appreciation for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in the kingdom, which he said was approved by President Tinubu following the minister’s recommendation.
The monarch highlighted the economic importance of Udu Kingdom, noting that the area hosts major industrial facilities including the former Delta Steel Company and one of the largest gas plants in Nigeria and West Africa.
He stressed that despite the industrial presence, the kingdom was particularly excited about the new medical facility because healthcare and education remain critical drivers of development.
Orugbo assured that the community would continue to support both the federal and state governments to ensure the immediate take-off of the hospital at its temporary site provided by the Delta Steel Company.
He also appealed for the swift commencement of construction at the permanent site donated by the community to enable the hospital to fully serve residents of the area and surrounding communities.
