Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has outlined key challenges facing the healthcare system in the state, including a lack of manpower, corruption, indiscipline, and poor management. However, he has pledged to address these issues and elevate Rivers State to become a premier destination for medical tourism in Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara emphasized his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services, particularly at the primary level. He highlighted ongoing efforts to reconstruct, rehabilitate, and upgrade primary healthcare facilities across the state, with the aim of integrating them with secondary and tertiary institutions to deliver quality healthcare services to the majority of the population.
Governor Fubara acknowledged that challenges such as inadequate manpower, corruption, and ineffective management have hampered the delivery of healthcare services in the state. However, he expressed determination to overcome these obstacles and ensure that the healthcare system operates optimally to serve all citizens.
In addition to investments in primary healthcare centers, Governor Fubara highlighted efforts to enhance the capacity of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) through personnel training and the establishment of critical units equipped with modern equipment.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, commended Governor Fubara’s leadership for driving significant progress in building a robust primary healthcare system in Rivers State. She emphasized the importance of renovating and upgrading existing primary healthcare facilities to improve functionality and ensure accessibility to affordable healthcare services for residents.