Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the recruitment of over 700 medical and non-medical personnel in a major push to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this during a press briefing, describing the move as a strategic response to rising demand for healthcare services and ongoing upgrades in medical infrastructure.
According to him, the recruitment drive is closely tied to 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, both of which require additional manpower to function optimally.
“This approval reflects the government’s proactive approach to ensuring that our health facilities are adequately staffed to meet the growing needs of our population,” Onojaeme said.
He provided a breakdown of the planned deployment, noting that 295 personnel would be posted to the Hospital Management Board, while 120 would be absorbed by the Delta State University Teaching Hospital. The College of Health Technology, Ovrode, is expected to engage 100 staff, with Asaba Specialist Hospital and Warri Central Hospital receiving 60 and 12 personnel respectively.
The Commissioner explained that the recruitment is also aimed at addressing workforce shortages caused by the ongoing migration of healthcare professionals, widely referred to as the “Japa syndrome.” He added that the state government has maintained a policy of promptly replacing exiting personnel to ensure continuity in service delivery.
Onojaeme further highlighted other critical interventions in the sector, including the near completion of a State Public Health Laboratory. He recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of such a facility forced the state to send samples to Abuja for analysis.
He also revealed that a new psychiatric hospital currently under construction would significantly expand the scope of healthcare services and create additional demand for skilled professionals.
On medical technology, the Commissioner disclosed that the government has procured three 1.5 Tesla MRI machines, noting that the helium-free systems are more cost-effective and easier to maintain than older models.
He added that investments in dialysis services have begun to yield results, with treatment costs dropping to as low as ₦45,000 in some facilities, and further reductions expected as more interventions are introduced.
Onojaeme assured that the recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based, with vacancies to be advertised in both national and local newspapers. He noted that the exercise would cover a wide range of positions, including consultants, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, health technologists, administrators, and other support staff.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would significantly improve service delivery and health outcomes across Delta State.
