Gov. Oborevwori Flags Off Free Medical Care Programme for Okpanam Residents, Commissions Newly Built Cottage Hospital
By Anthonia N. Okwuolise, Abuja
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has commissioned the newly completed Cottage Hospital in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, while also flagging off a comprehensive Free Medical Care Programme aimed at providing immediate healthcare services to residents of the community.
The dual event, which marked a significant milestone in the council’s efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery, brought together government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, healthcare professionals and residents, with renewed emphasis on the importance of taking quality healthcare closer to the people.
The Cottage Hospital project was initiated and executed by the Oshimili North Local Government Council under the leadership of its Chairman, Hon. Innocent Esewezie. The initiative is in line with the broader objectives of the Delta State Government’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its commitment to meaningful development, improved public welfare and sustainable healthcare interventions across the state.
Represented at the commissioning ceremony by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., Governor Oborevwori said the establishment of the hospital was an important intervention that would help bridge the gap between rural communities and accessible healthcare services.
According to the Governor, quality and affordable healthcare should not be determined by where a citizen lives, stressing that bringing modern medical facilities closer to communities would reduce the burden of travelling long distances in search of basic medical attention.
He said the initiative would particularly benefit vulnerable members of the community, including women, children and the elderly, who often require prompt access to medical services.
Governor Oborevwori said, “This project aligns directly with the core pillars of our M.O.R.E. Agenda, specifically, our commitment to meaningful development and sustainable health interventions across Delta State.
“Access to quality, affordable healthcare should never be a luxury determined by zip code. By bringing modern medical facilities directly into our communities, we reduce the burden of travel for primary healthcare and ensure that our women, children and elderly receive prompt medical attention when they need it most.”
The Governor commended the Hon. Innocent Esewezie-led Oshimili North Local Government Council for initiating and completing what he described as a vital project, noting that local government administrations occupy a strategic position in connecting government policies and programmes with the people at the grassroots.
He said the delivery of a fully equipped Cottage Hospital demonstrated the council’s alignment with the priorities of the state government and its commitment to improving the quality of life of residents.
“Local government administrations play a crucial role as the primary bridge between the state and the grassroots. As such, delivering a fully equipped Cottage Hospital demonstrates a clear alignment with state priorities and a genuine dedication to the welfare of the people of Okpanam and surrounding areas,” he stated.
Governor Oborevwori also stressed that the commissioning of the hospital would be more meaningful when the facility is backed by accessible and quality healthcare services.
He noted that the Free Medical Care Programme being launched alongside the hospital would ensure that the infrastructure immediately begins to serve the people for whom it was established.
“Alongside commissioning this facility, the flag-off of the Free Medical Care Programme ensures that infrastructure is immediately matched with service. Quality buildings fulfil their true purpose only when the services inside are accessible, affordable and compassionate,” the Governor said.
He therefore urged residents and community stakeholders to take ownership of the facility, protect its equipment and work with healthcare personnel to ensure that the hospital continues to serve the community effectively.
“To the people of Okpanam, this facility belongs to you. I urge community leaders, health workers and residents to take ownership of this hospital, protect the equipment and ensure it serves as a beacon of health and well-being for generations to come,” he added.
The Governor further assured residents that his administration would remain committed to extending strategic infrastructure and human capital development to communities across Delta State.
He said the state government would continue to partner with proactive local government administrations to replicate successful grassroots development initiatives across the state’s 25 local government areas.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, appealed to local government councils across the state to intensify efforts to enrol more residents in the contributory health insurance system.
According to him, wider enrolment would strengthen access to healthcare and help reduce the financial burden associated with medical treatment, particularly for vulnerable members of society.
Okowa Commends Council Chairman
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, also commended the Oshimili North Local Government Council for the initiative.
Senator Okowa praised the council chairman for establishing the Cottage Hospital, describing the project as an intervention that would have a direct and lasting impact on the people of Okpanam and the wider Oshimili North community.
He also commended local government chairmen across Delta State for undertaking various development projects and maintaining the payment of workers’ salaries.
According to him, the positive reforms being implemented at the grassroots should be sustained, while local government administrations should continue to identify projects capable of improving the lives of ordinary citizens.
Traditional Ruler Highlights Healthcare Challenges
Earlier, the Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Michael Ogbolu, highlighted the healthcare challenges that residents of the community had faced over the years.
The monarch said vulnerable residents, particularly pregnant women, children and the elderly, had previously encountered significant difficulties in accessing prompt and quality medical attention.
He noted that some residents were forced to travel considerable distances to access basic healthcare services, a situation that could become particularly difficult in emergencies.
The establishment of the Cottage Hospital, he said, would significantly reduce such challenges by bringing healthcare services closer to the people.
The monarch expressed appreciation to the Oshimili North Local Government Council and the Delta State Government for supporting initiatives capable of improving the welfare of the people.
Six-Day Free Medical Programme Begins
In his welcome address, Chairman of Oshimili North Local Government Area, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, said the commissioning of the Cottage Hospital represented more than the provision of physical infrastructure, stressing that a community could not genuinely prosper when its people lacked access to basic healthcare.
He explained that the council’s vision was to ensure that the new facility became a functional and accessible healthcare centre capable of responding to the needs of residents.
According to him, healthcare infrastructure must be supported by competent medical personnel, appropriate equipment, accessible healthcare financing and programmes that ensure that ordinary citizens can actually benefit from the services provided.
It was against this background that the council chairman announced the flag-off of a comprehensive six-day Free Medical Care Programme for residents.
The programme is expected to provide a wide range of medical services, including medical consultations, treatments and interventions, as well as surgical procedures, dental care and optical services.
The initiative, he explained, was designed to ensure that the commissioning of the hospital immediately translates into tangible healthcare benefits for residents rather than remaining merely a ceremonial achievement.
200 Residents Enrolled in Contributory Health Scheme
As part of the council’s broader healthcare intervention, Hon. Esewezie also announced the immediate enrolment of 200 beneficiaries into the Delta State Contributory Health Commission programme.
He disclosed that 150 beneficiaries are operatives of the Oshimili North Security Watch, recognising their contributions to the protection of lives and property across the local government area.
The remaining 50 beneficiaries will comprise autistic children and other children with special needs drawn from communities across Oshimili North.
The initiative, according to the council chairman, reflects the council’s commitment to ensuring that healthcare interventions extend beyond the general population to groups that require special attention and support.
He further disclosed that part of the facilities within the newly commissioned hospital had been dedicated to providing support and care for children with special needs.
The decision, he said, was informed by the council’s belief that healthcare should be compassionate, inclusive and accessible to every member of society, irrespective of their circumstances.
The commissioning of the Cottage Hospital and the commencement of the Free Medical Care Programme therefore represent a significant step in Oshimili North’s efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery.
For residents of Okpanam and neighbouring communities, the new facility is expected to reduce the difficulty of accessing primary healthcare, while the accompanying free medical programme provides an immediate opportunity for residents, particularly vulnerable groups, to receive medical attention.
The initiative also underscores the growing importance of collaboration between the state and local governments in delivering development directly to communities.
With the new Cottage Hospital now commissioned and the Free Medical Care Programme underway, residents of Okpanam have been presented with a new healthcare facility that is expected to serve not only as a centre for medical treatment, but also as an important instrument for improving community health and well-being for years to come.
