Health
NMA demands utilisation of abandoned health facilities in Rivers
The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has expressed frustration over the continued non-operation of the Mother and Child Hospital and the Dr Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre in Port Harcourt, despite both facilities having been fully built and commissioned for over three years.
The Mother and Child Hospital was commissioned in June 2021, while the Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Centre was commissioned in November 2022. However, neither facility has ever been put to use and both remain sealed, attracting public criticism.
Despite repeated inquiries during the last administration, the Rivers State Government failed to give credible reasons for their closure. Stakeholders in the health sector have also largely avoided addressing the prolonged inactivity of these institutions.
Following their commissioning by former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the facilities remain sealed and deserted, with no staff on site.
At a press briefing on Monday to mark the opening of the association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference, Rivers State NMA Chairman, Dr Diamond Tamunokuro, called on the state government to immediately operationalise both centres.
Dr Tamunokuro stressed that the world-class facilities “continue to be a symbol of waste and a reminder of our collective systemic inefficiency if not put to use.”
He added: “It is regrettably and shameful that young doctors in this state who desire to work cannot find a place to work in the state civil service despite the presence of public health facilities fully constructed and fully equipped.”
He lamented that potential employment opportunities, essential medical services, internally generated revenue, and training spaces for health professionals remain unrealised because of the continued closure of these facilities. He urged the people of Rivers State to “continue to question the closure of these two facilities until they open to use,” adding, “the best time to have acted was yesterday, the next best time is now.”
In 2024, during the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit, suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara declined to comment on the facilities when questioned about their closure. That same year, suspended Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, explained that the intended private investors had pulled out, citing inflation, which stalled the utilisation of the facilities.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, yesterday participated in the inauguration, first capping, and matriculation ceremony of the Mother of Mercy College of Nursing Sciences, Mbutu-Okohia, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, where he personally capped the institution’s pioneer nursing students.
In her address, Provost of the college, Rev. Sr. Tochukwu Martha Ike, described the event as the realisation of a long-held vision by the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy (DMMM) to widen access to quality nursing education.
According to her, the college was established in response to the country’s urgent demand for well-trained and compassionate nurses, especially in underserved areas.
Sr. Ike noted that the institution had already recorded notable milestones, including full accreditation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and commencement of a Basic Nursing Programme supported by a qualified academic and administrative workforce.
She reaffirmed the college’s dedication to evidence-based and community-centred nursing practice.
Acknowledging the challenges confronting the young institution — particularly in infrastructure development, facilities upgrade, and funding, she expressed optimism that continued support from government and donors would help position the college as a leading centre for healthcare training.
Addressing the students, Obi congratulated the pioneer set and urged them to uphold the values of discipline, compassion, and integrity that define the nursing profession.
He described nurses as the “heartbeat of functional healthcare systems,” and encouraged the students to pursue excellence and lifelong learning in service to humanity.
He also commended the DMMM Congregation for its significant contributions to education and healthcare, noting that faith-based institutions continue to play a crucial role in reinforcing Nigeria’s social foundations.
The ceremony concluded with expressions of appreciation to community leaders, government officials, benefactors, and stakeholders for their support towards establishing the college, which is expected to contribute significantly to healthcare development in Imo State and beyond.
Serenity Royale Hospital has refuted claims that it conducted any drug-related tests on actress Regina Daniels.
The hospital said this in a public statement released on Thursday evening, following the trending medical report allegedly from the hospital confirming Regina Daniels’ drug addiction.
Recall that Regina Daniels’ estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko had accused her of drug addiction and insisted that the actress must submit herself for rehabilitation.
The accusation came after Regina called out the Senator for domestic abuse amid their ongoing messy breakup.
However, laboratory tests purportedly conducted by the hospital surfaced on the social media on Wednesday, showing toxic levels of marijuana, cocaine, morphine, opiates, and alcohol in her system.
Denying conducting any test on the actress, the hospital stated that the alleged medical report was fabricated.
Speaking in a statement signed by its management, the hospital said “Our attention has been drawn to a post (on an alleged MID TERM HOME DETOX REPORT) being circulated online in the name of Serenity Royale Hospital with respect to Mrs Nwoko Regina.
“We wish to state clearly that the publication and circulation of the said post containing classified information did not emanate from us and respectfully request the public to disregard same.”
Suspended Paystack co-founder, Ezra Olubi has in a tweet revealed he was diagnosed as having both HIV+ and Hepatitis B.
He stated this in a post he shared on his X page some years ago which has now resurfaced online.
Recall that Olubi was recently suspended by Paystack over allegations of s3xual misconduct after his tweets of years ago resurfaced online.
It was gathered that between 2009 and 2013, Ezra Olubi allegedly posted a series of s3xually explicit tweets making comments involving minors and referencing s3xualized anime characters.
One of the tweets read: “Last time I felt this way and went to the hospital for a general checkup, I was diagnosed as both HIV+ and with Hepatitis B.”
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