Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health, has decried the abandonment of some critical projects at the Central Hospital Oleh, in Isoko South and Government Hospital, Ozoro in Isoko North local government area.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon Ferguson Onwo, expressed concern over the development when he led other members of the committee in an oversight duty to the two hospitals on Monday.
Hon Onwo explained that the abandoned projects spanning over ten year, include an emergency unit at Central Hospital, Oleh by NDDC and a full block of health facility at Government Hospital, Ozoro, by the Delta State Ministry of Health.
Hon Onwo appealed to authorities involved to return to site to complete the projects as they are needed in government’s efforts to improve the healthcare needs of the people.
He said the legislative assignment is to obtain first hand information on prospects and challenges in the health sector.
The Lawmaker commended health workers at the Central Hospital Oleh, Government Hospital Ozoro and Central Hospital, Kwale, for their commitment to duties, even as he charged to remain on the path of the demands of the profession.
Onwo noted that healthcare service is an essential duty that has to do with saving lives at all cost, saying that when patients lack medical attention they are denied fate on chances for survival.
The one time Majority Leader in the 7th Delta Assembly, emphasized that quick response to healthcare delivery must be the goal of the profession, and appealed for attitudinal change that will promote quality healthcare in the state.
The Lawmaker commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the recent recruitment of Doctors and other health workers as well as upgrades and provision of health facilities in the sector.
Hon Onwo disclosed that the Committee enjoys robust relationship with the Governor, saying that any observation and recommendations made by the Committee always received the attention they deserved.
He said the Legislature is empowered by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make laws for peace and good governance as well as carry out oversight function on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of Government.
The Assembly Health Committee Chairman, noted that oversight visits have equipped the committee with progress made in the health sector by the state government as well as challenges faced in the sector.
The Lawmaker promised that most of the observed challenges would be deliberated upon during next budget defense hearing by the Committee with the Ministry of health and parastatals under its supervision.
Onwo said adequate provisions would be made to address the needs in the health sector in year 2015 budget.
The Isoko South 2 Constituency Representative, assured the committee’s support in providing quality, affordable and accessible health care to Deltans.
Chairmen Hospital Management Board, Dr Paul Oweh commended the Assembly Committee on Health for the visit, saying that the visit was timely as the board was committed to repositioning the health sector for better and quality service delivery.
He assured the Lawmakers that discipline would be melted out on staff that refused to comply to laid down guidelines and rules in their conducts.
Dr Oweh informed the Committee that the hospitals need man power to fill vacancies caused by Doctors and Nurses migration.
He also drew attention to the need to replace obsolete equipments in the hospitals to improve health care delivery in the state.
The Lawmakers had visited the Government Hospital Olomoro, where they directed the Hospital Management Board, HMB to take appropriate disciplinary actions on the Doctor and other health workers for abandoning their duty posts.
The Chairman said it was sad to see patients denied medical attention, despite government’s efforts to providing quality healthcare services in the state.
Accompanied by Hon Bernard Odior, Festus Utuama and Mathew Omonade, Onwo stated that disciplinary action should be taken to serve as deterrent to those who indulge in such behavior in public service.
The Lawmaker expressed serious concerns over poor attitudes to work by some care givers.
He called on the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Management Board, HMB, to ensure close supervision of the health workers.