Health
FG takes over Delta's hospital at Otor-Udu
Written By: Udo Inobeme
09 Sep 2025 03:25 AM
The federal government and the Delta State Government on Monday formalized a historic agreement for the transformation of the General Hospital, Otor-Udu, into a Federal Medical Centre, FMC.
The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed at a ceremony in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to expand access to quality healthcare across the country.
Representing Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Kingsley Emu, said the development reflects the governor’s unwavering commitment to reposition healthcare delivery in the state.
According to him, the decision aligns with the administration’s broader agenda of complementing massive road infrastructure projects with equally robust investments in human capital and social services.
Dr. Emu highlighted that Delta State has steadily built a strong healthcare system that now boasts 65 general hospitals, 441 primary health centres, and three tertiary institutions currently under construction.
He noted that the state had also taken the bold step of acquiring three cutting-edge, helium-free MRI machines and CT scanners ,a first in Nigeria’s public health system ,to reduce dependence on private providers.
“The Delta State Contributory Health Scheme today has over two million registered enrollees, including 10,000 widows,” Emu said. “This MoU is not just about handing over a hospital; it is about deepening access, improving outcomes, and ensuring that our people have facilities that meet international standards.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, assured that the hospital would be properly upgraded and efficiently managed to serve as a centre of excellence.
He acknowledged the growing demand across the country for federal hospitals but stressed that the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility.
“Partnerships like this are the way forward. Delta State has shown readiness, and with this collaboration, Otor-Udu FMC will soon emerge as one of the finest medical centres in Nigeria,” Salako declared.
The Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed at a ceremony in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to expand access to quality healthcare across the country.
Representing Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Kingsley Emu, said the development reflects the governor’s unwavering commitment to reposition healthcare delivery in the state.
According to him, the decision aligns with the administration’s broader agenda of complementing massive road infrastructure projects with equally robust investments in human capital and social services.
Dr. Emu highlighted that Delta State has steadily built a strong healthcare system that now boasts 65 general hospitals, 441 primary health centres, and three tertiary institutions currently under construction.
He noted that the state had also taken the bold step of acquiring three cutting-edge, helium-free MRI machines and CT scanners ,a first in Nigeria’s public health system ,to reduce dependence on private providers.
“The Delta State Contributory Health Scheme today has over two million registered enrollees, including 10,000 widows,” Emu said. “This MoU is not just about handing over a hospital; it is about deepening access, improving outcomes, and ensuring that our people have facilities that meet international standards.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, assured that the hospital would be properly upgraded and efficiently managed to serve as a centre of excellence.
He acknowledged the growing demand across the country for federal hospitals but stressed that the government alone could not shoulder the responsibility.
“Partnerships like this are the way forward. Delta State has shown readiness, and with this collaboration, Otor-Udu FMC will soon emerge as one of the finest medical centres in Nigeria,” Salako declared.
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