Residents and stakeholders of Igbide Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the Delta State Government and relevant authorities to urgently equip and adequately staff Igbide General Hospital to improve healthcare delivery and save lives.
In a public appeal addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key government officials, the community expressed concern over the current state of the hospital, describing it as the only secondary healthcare facility serving Igbide and several neighboring communities, yet lacking essential medical equipment, drugs, and sufficient healthcare personnel.
The appeal urged the governor to prioritize the hospital under his administration's healthcare development agenda, noting that many residents are forced to travel long distances for medical emergencies due to inadequate facilities and manpower at the hospital.
The community also called on Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, Commissioner for Health, to facilitate the provision of diagnostic equipment, a functional laboratory, emergency care facilities, essential drugs, and the deployment of resident doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and laboratory scientists to the hospital.
Attention was equally directed to Ferguson Onwo, Member Representing Isoko South Constituency II and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, with a request to champion the cause at the Delta State House of Assembly through legislative advocacy, budgetary allocations, and effective oversight.
The community further appealed to Goodnews Emamusi Obiodeh, Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development and an indigene of Igbide Kingdom, to use his position within the State Executive Council to draw attention to the urgent needs of the hospital and advocate for government intervention.
Similarly, the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Warri Ovoke, was urged to support community mobilization efforts, safeguard hospital assets, and strengthen healthcare linkages between primary healthcare centres and the general hospital.
Copies of the appeal were also sent to Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, and Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, Member representing Isoko North and South Federal Constituency.
Community leaders emphasized that equipping and staffing Igbide General Hospital would significantly improve healthcare access, reduce avoidable deaths, and enhance the wellbeing of residents across Igbide Kingdom and surrounding communities.
They expressed optimism that the collective intervention of government officials at the state, federal, and local levels would transform the facility into a fully functional healthcare centre capable of meeting the needs of the people.