The Delta State Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen specialist healthcare delivery with the deployment of modern diagnostic and critical care equipment at the Central Hospital, Warri.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this during an inspection of the facility, where he assessed the newly installed 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), CT scan, dialysis unit and Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Onojaeme said the MRI was already operational, with a lumbar scan successfully conducted during the inspection, adding that the service would be opened to patients by Wednesday next week at regulated rates to make it affordable.
He said the CT scan and dialysis unit were also functioning, while the ICU was about 90 per cent ready following the procurement of ventilators.
According to him, the ICU is expected to become operational within the next two weeks.
The commissioner said the government was also putting measures in place to ensure the sustainability of the equipment, noting that 30 per cent of revenue generated from the MRI, CT scan and dialysis services would be retained as a revolving maintenance fund.
He explained that the arrangement would provide continuous funding for maintenance and reduce dependence on government allocations after the expiration of the equipment warranties.
Onojaeme said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the state’s investments in modern healthcare infrastructure continued to deliver quality and affordable services to Deltans.
