Blessing Okorite, Port Harcourt
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says his administration has spent $6.5 million (N2.3 billion) in equipping the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, formerly Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, in Port Harcourt.
The governor also stated that his administration has commenced the process of equipping recently completed Zonal Hospitals in the state to take quality tertiary healthcare closer to the people.
Governor Wike disclosed this, on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit to him by the Board and Management of Philips Project Centre Limited at the Government House, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
According to the governor, the Zonal Hospital, Degema and Zonal Hospital at Bori, have been completed and the equipping process is ongoing.
He added that the State Government is also equipping the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt to provide specialist care for women and children.
In the words of the governor, “Health is very important to this administration. It is one key area that we are focusing on to improve the lives of the people.
“We are investing resources to equip the completed Zonal Hospitals that will soon come on stream. We have Zonal Hospitals in Degema , Bori, Etche, Ahoada and Omoku.
“We will equip Degema and Bori Zonal Hospitals because they have been completed “, he said.
Governor Wike said that the Rivers State Government would partner with Philips Project Centre to equip the hospitals and train staff to maintain the facilities.
He directed his deputy, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and the Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare to work with Philips Project Centre, to develop the health facilities for use by Rivers people.
“Whatever we will agree with Philips Project Centre must include training and retraining of our staff. We will partner to equip these hospitals “, he said.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Philips Project Centre, Ayo Grillo, called for partnership with the Rivers State Government to equip hospitals across the state.
He said that the Philips Project Centre has a Special Interest in Rivers State as the organisation has been working in the state to construct and maintain healthcare facilities.
“We have a long history with Rivers State. We are keen to continue to work with Rivers State to develop the health sector. We bring trainers from abroad to train clinical and non-clinical staff with the knowledge on how to tackle healthcare challenges “, he said.
He informed the Rivers State Governor that they operate internet based applications to ensure efficiency.
