Delta State Government Sanctions Hiring of 700 Additional Staff to Boost Medical Services

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has given the green light for the recruitment of over 700 medical and non-medical personnel, a significant move aimed at bolstering healthcare delivery across Delta State.

n

This major development was announced by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during a press conference held in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday.

n

According to Dr. Onojaeme, the recruitment drive is a deliberate response to the increasing demand for healthcare services and the ongoing upgrades in medical infrastructure within the state, which necessitate additional personnel to ensure optimal functionality.

n

The commissioner cited recent developments in the sector, including the upgrade of General Hospital Warri to a Central Hospital and the near-completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan, as key factors driving the need for more personnel to fill the resultant manpower gap.

n

This approval, Dr. Onojaeme explained, reflects the government's proactive stance on ensuring that health facilities are adequately staffed to meet the growing needs of the population, thereby guaranteeing uninterrupted service delivery.

n

The planned deployment, as outlined by the commissioner, will see 295 personnel posted to the Hospital Management Board, 120 to the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, 100 to the College of Health Technology, Ovrode, 60 to Asaba Specialist Hospital, and 12 to Warri Central Hospital.

n

The recruitment also aims to address workforce shortages caused by the ongoing migration of healthcare professionals, commonly referred to as the "Japa syndrome", by promptly replacing exiting personnel to maintain continuity in service delivery.

n

Dr. Onojaeme highlighted other key interventions, including the near completion of a State Public Health Laboratory, which he noted was sorely lacking during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the state to send samples to Abuja for analysis.

n

A new psychiatric hospital currently under construction is expected to significantly expand healthcare services and create additional demand for skilled professionals, further underscoring the need for strategic recruitment.

n

The government has also made significant investments in medical technology, including the procurement of three 1.5 Tesla MRI machines, which are more cost-effective and easier to maintain than older models.

n

Investments in dialysis services are yielding positive results, with treatment costs dropping to as low as ₦45,000 in some facilities, and further reductions are expected as additional interventions are implemented.

n

Dr. Onojaeme assured that the recruitment process will be transparent and merit-based, with vacancies to be advertised in both national and local newspapers, covering a wide range of positions including consultants, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, health technologists, administrators, and other support staff.