By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has reaffirmed that healthcare remains a top priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as it intensifies the establishment of federal tertiary health institutions across the country.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this while receiving the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, Michael Ogheneove Orugbo, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
Salako said the creation of more federal tertiary hospitals reflects the administration’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to Nigerians.
He noted that the current administration had established the highest number of such institutions within a short period compared to previous governments.
The minister commended the monarch’s visit, describing it as the first of its kind from a benefiting community, which he attributed to the ruler’s passion for development.
He disclosed that the Oviam Federal Medical Centre was approved by President Tinubu and praised the Delta State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Health in facilitating the project.
Salako further revealed that the Medical Director had been directed to develop a five-year strategic plan to guide budgeting and operations, assuring that the groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent site would take place before the end of the President’s first term.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Udu Kingdom, including the donation of land, drugs worth millions of naira, and digital equipment provided by the Oyeye Foundation.
“The facility belongs to the community. It is important that it is protected and that there is collaboration with the government to ensure continuity, which is key to achieving the goals set for the hospital,” he said.
The minister also directed the hospital’s management to liaise with the ministry’s Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics to ensure proper integration of the donated digital systems.
In his remarks, Orugbo expressed appreciation to the minister for facilitating the establishment of the medical centre in his kingdom, describing the support from the ministry as commendable.
He highlighted key industrial assets in Udu Kingdom, including the Delta Steel Company and a major gas plant, but stressed that healthcare and education remain critical to societal development.
“From our perspective, health and education are the forebears of any meaningful development in society,” he said.
The monarch pledged continued support for both the federal and Delta State governments to ensure the smooth take-off of the facility, noting that a temporary site had already been provided by the Delta Steel Company.
He also commended the appointment of an indigene of the kingdom as Medical Director and called for the speedy commencement of construction at the permanent site.