The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health has directed the management of the Central Hospital, Kwale, to immediately ensure full utilization of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon (Dr) Ferguson Onwo, issued the directive on Thursday during an oversight visit to the hospital in Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West local government area of the state.
Hon Onwo expressed concern that the ICU, donated by a philanthropist, Mr Chucks Agidigbo had remained unused despite its importance to critical healthcare delivery in the state, particularly in the locality.
He described the development as unacceptable and warned that such neglect could discourage further collaborations, partnerships and support from private sector and corporate institutions.
The Lawmaker urged the hospital management to expedite action toward recruiting qualified personnel to operate the ICU, noting that lives were too precious to deserve every attention.
“Government alone cannot do everything. We must encourage private sector participation, but that is only possible when donated facilities are fully utilized like this ICU donated by a great son of Delta State, Chucks Agidigbo”. He stated.
Onwo who represents Isoko South Constituency II, inspected the facility at the hospital alongside other members of the committee, including Hon. Bernard Odior, Hon. Festus Utuama, Hon. Matthew Omonade, and Hon. Perkins Umukoro.
He assured that the committee was always willing and ready to provide the necessary legislative support to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Responding, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital Management Board, Kwale Zone, Dr. Lawrence Afinotan, who represented the Board Chairman and the Permanent Secretary, acknowledged the committee’s concerns.
He explained that the ICU had remained idle due to shortage of specialized staff needed to run the unit.
Dr. Afinotan assured that once recruitment processes are completed, the ICU would become fully operational, stressing that the facility is adequately equipped to provide quality healthcare services.
He appealed for the committee’s continued support to address the manpower gap in the hospital.