30/05/2025
FUTURE OF HEALTH AND THE SOCIETY:
HOW DR. OREHβS HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP FOR THE LEGACY OF GOVENOR SIM FUBARA CAN INFORM AND INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF HEALTHCARE LEADERS
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual; and the youths, are indispensably prospective agents for advancements in the medical or health horizon. The effectiveness of youths as the next generation is hinged on the foundation and paths designed by the present generation, as they are programmed to develop based mostly-on things passed on to them, of which has been keenly observed by the current executive government of Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara on commencement of his executive duties identified the challenges and laxity in the Rivers State health sector and took it upon himself to work towards the rehabilitation and improvement of all healthcare infrastructures, as contained in his three point agenda which features affordable healthcare, agricultural, and quality education. In his words, βwe will deal with all identified challenges and ensure that the healthcare system functions optimally to deliver affordable and efficient services to all residents of the stateβ (Punch; April 3, 2024), an assertion contingent on the catalogue of projects and achievements of his administration barely a year in office, under the stewardship of the amiable commissioner of health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh.
Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh is a certified Nigerian Consultant Family Physician, a Public health specialist and Universal healthcare advocate; a medical degree holder in Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery; a senior fellow for Global Health with the Aspen institute in Washington DC; member of the Governing council of Nigeriaβs first private University of Medical Sciences (Pamo University of Medical Sciences); Director of Planning, Research and Statistics for Nigeriaβs National Blood Service Commission Act 2021. The above qualifications equip her with so much experience as regards the health sector, of which she has not failed to apply towards making Rivers State a first choice medical tourism destination in Africa, as such, has carried out a number of beautiful projects.
This includes the expansion of several health facilities by the rehabilitation of 35 health centers across the state to ensure the accessibility of healthcare services by residents. Notably, the construction of a world class general hospital in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, having noticed the absence of such health facility in that area.
The opening of Burns Treatment and Care unit; a modularized surgical theatre; pathological laboratory for diagnostics and training purposes will aid the rendering of a wide range of healthcare services. The increase in number of bed spaces in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) to accommodate more patients will boost efficiency in the rendering of services to patients and clients. Also, the provision of adequate oxygen support to health facilities by commissioning a 720,000 litres capacity medical oxygen plant at the Eleme General Hospital, through a joint partnership with the Federal Government; the Canadian Government and the HIS Towers, thus reducing the dependency on external supplies and ensuring an effective management of emergencies and the reduction in mortality rate.
Correspondingly, the completion of a 400 capacity classroom block for the Rivers State School of Nursing by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has birthed the upgrade and accreditation of the Nursing school to College of Nursing Science, by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, resulting to an upscale in admission and production of certified nurses to provide support, and aid alleviation of sufferings of clients and patients in health facilities; a clear contradiction of a decade ago when there was great demand for skilled nursing care. In sequence, the recruitment of 1000 healthcare workers for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) and the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, the provision of more functioning health facilities, and the salary increment for health workers are applauding approaches to the inhibition of the current βJAPA SYNDROMEβ of the country and to the near future, an innovation worthy of adoption by the Nigerian government for an all-round effect. These actions will make the nurses and other health workers understand that their hard work and social benefits are prioritized, and also motivating them to render satisfactory service to patients and clients, thus, diminishing the concurrent reports of aggressive and unenthusiastic health workers.
Dr. Adaeze Orehβs membership in the International Society of Blood Transfusion, Covid-19 working group, Donors, Donation working party and Immune therapy sub-group, has enabled the collation of a vast range of experience and expertise as regards blood services. Thus, the innovation for the state-wide master training in safe blood surveillance aimed at tackling the surge in the spread of diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B) via blood administration; also the development and circulation of a user-friendly specialized tool for the formal reporting of blood administration reactions, all for the enhancement of blood administration safety.
On the whole, the aforementioned are eloquent milestones of Governor Siminalayi Fubara towards the total transformation of the health sector in Rivers State, even to the future. And he has successfully built a lasting relationship with the people of Rivers State of which they will not relent in giving their unwavering support for a second tenure. Through these achievements, the state will be met with minimal challenges in the health sector as these proofs of assertive measures have founded a bedrock for us (the youths) to evolve poisedly and employ cognitive innovations on further improvement of the health sector of the state, having been tasked with the maintenance and improvement of its already set standards.
ALO-BARI ZINABARI HEYWOOD
200 LEVEL NURSING STUDENT
RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY
