By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The Delta State Government has approved the recruitment of over 700 medical and non-medical personnel in a sweeping move to strengthen healthcare delivery and meet rising demands across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Asaba, describing the exercise as a strategic response to ongoing expansion in the sector under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
According to Onojaeme, the recruitment spans multiple health institutions, including the Hospital Management Board, which has been allocated 295 slots, and the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, with 120 positions. The newly established College of Health Technology will employ 100 staff, while the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme is set to absorb 120 workers. Additionally, 60 personnel will be deployed to the Asaba Specialist Hospital.
He explained that the approval was driven by the rapid expansion of health infrastructure in the state, citing the recent upgrade of General Hospital, Otor-Udu, to a Central Hospital, and the near completion of the Mother and Child Hospital project, which is now at 98 percent completion.
“The employment is not just to maintain existing workforce but to cater for new and upgraded facilities across the state,” Onojaeme said.
The Commissioner also highlighted the impact of the “Japa” trend, the migration of skilled professionals abroad, on the health sector, noting that the government has put in place a standing approval to replace departing workers to prevent manpower shortages.
“If not for this proactive measure, we would have faced serious gaps in our healthcare system,” he added.
Onojaeme further revealed that new critical projects, including a state public health laboratory and a neuropsychiatric hospital, are nearing completion and will require skilled personnel. The facilities, he said, will be located in Warri and Kwale respectively, and will operate independently of existing hospitals.
He emphasized that the recruitment would cover a wide range of professional cadres, including medical consultants, senior medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, radiographers, physiotherapists, dental technologists, and administrative staff.
The Commissioner also announced that the state is investing in cutting-edge medical equipment, including helium-free MRI machines, CT scanners, and dialysis units, noting that the advanced technology requires experienced personnel to operate efficiently.
On affordability, Onojaeme disclosed that recent government interventions have reduced the cost of dialysis in state facilities to between ₦38,000 and ₦45,000 per session, with prospects for further reduction.
He assured that the recruitment process would be transparent and merit-based, and open to all qualified Nigerians.
“Advertisements will be placed in national and local dailies. We want the best hands to strengthen our healthcare system,” he said.
Addressing concerns over manpower shortages in primary healthcare, the Commissioner noted that while such facilities fall under local governments, the state has supported them by renovating 150 centres and deploying over 200 personnel currently funded by the state.
He also commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing funding under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, describing it as a boost to grassroots healthcare delivery.
On staff retention, Onojaeme said Delta remains one of the leading states in healthcare workforce strength, second only to Lagos, attributing this to competitive remuneration and consistent support for medical professionals, including funding for residency training.
“Our goal is to build a resilient, efficient, and people-oriented health system that meets global standards,” he stated.