The Delta State Government has approved the recruitment of over 700 medical and non-medical personnel as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and address staffing gaps across its health institutions.
- +Delta government approves recruitment of over 700 health workers
The Commissioner for Health, Dr.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this during a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday, noting that the approval by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori reflects a sustained push to expand the state’s health sector in tandem with ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
He explained that the decision was driven by rising demand for healthcare services following recent investments in facilities across the state.
According to Onojaeme, key developments such as the upgrade of the General Hospital in Warri to a Central Hospital and the near-completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Ekpan have significantly increased service capacity, necessitating the recruitment of additional personnel to ensure optimal operations.
He added that the state government has maintained a policy of replacing exiting personnel to ensure operational stability within its healthcare system.
Beyond workforce expansion, Onojaeme highlighted ongoing efforts to close critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure. He revealed that a State Public Health Laboratory is nearing completion, a development expected to improve diagnostic capacity within the state. He recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of such a facility meant that samples had to be transported to Abuja for testing.
He further disclosed that a new psychiatric hospital currently under construction would expand access to mental health services, while also creating additional demand for skilled healthcare workers upon completion.
On the technology front, the commissioner said the state had procured three 1.5 Tesla MRI machines, describing them as helium-free systems that are more cost-effective and easier to maintain compared to older models.
He also pointed to investments in dialysis infrastructure, which he said have reduced treatment costs to as low as N45,000 in some facilities, with the potential for further reductions through additional government interventions.
Onojaeme assured that the recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based, with vacancies to be advertised in national and local newspapers.
He noted that the exercise would cover a broad range of roles, including consultants, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, health technologists, administrators, and support staff.
The initiative, he added, is expected to significantly enhance service delivery and improve health outcomes across the state.
