Utomi Chides Okowa’s Govt Over ‘Collapse Healthcare Sector’

Patrick Okedinachi Utomi, says health care sector in Delta State has collapsed under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

The professor of political economy and management expert who is largely known as Pat Utomi, spoke on the backdrop of the reported avoidable death of one Christian Afinemo Oghoghomeh who died at the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

Utomi, quoting a relation of the deceased, blamed Okowa-led administration for the death, saying the deceased died owing to the “terrible state of things in what is supposed to be our apex hospital, the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara”.

According to him, “I was jolted by a recent and painful experience highlighted by a noted commentator, Jesutega Onakposa, who has drawn our attention to the avoidable death of a Deltan, Mr. Christian Afinemo Oghoghomeh, which is as a result of the terrible state of things in what is supposed to be our apex hospital, the Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

“As reported, Mr Onakposa described the absence of proper medical equipment and amenities, including faulty ambulances, as well as the failure to act responsibly while they referred the patient to either a hospital in Warri or UBTH in Benin, during which period the patient died.

“Painfully, this avoidable death was as a result of a minor domestic accident. It is such a frightening experience that the family has threatened to sue the government for this death.

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“Many other deaths in this hospital are avoidable; and there are fears about “an alarmingly high turnover of deaths in what is supposed to be a hospital for the training of future doctors.”

The former governorship candidate in the Cyril Ogodo’s faction of the Delta APC, said that in his plans for the state, “We have envisaged a mix of health schemes including a unique “Bush Doctor” strategy, more robust and effective Primary Healthcare initiatives, Rural Health insurance, and a modern Hospital management system that would help Delta State to move away from its current rot.

“Besides it is essential that we establish, in partnership with Diaspora Nigerian Doctors, global centres of excellence in medical care that will not only serve Deltans well but would boost medical tourism into Delta state.

“Our democracy must go this way to be stronger for the people, and the rights of citizens must be protected in their demand for accountability from each level of government in Delta State. The power of democracy belongs to the people, and it has to be for the benefit of the entire people, not a select few”.

Utomi who also commented on the little Success Adegor’s resistance viral video saga, said that following the incident, he had on behalf of the people of Delta State, requested from the State government a proper report on the state of education and the health sector.

“A few days ago, I drew attention to one of the major battle line issues in our duty to rescue Delta State, and that is the need to provide quality education to every class of Deltan, whether rich or poor. In fact, it was the revolt of the young girl named Success of Okotie-Eboh Primary School, Sapele, that finally brought this subject to limelight. While still disgusted by this inadequacy, I was horrified yet again by the overall level of rot and mismanagement that has hit our health sector.

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“I had on behalf of the people of Delta State, I have openly requested from the State government a proper report on the state of education to enable Deltans focus on the crisis in education. It seems almost pointless to again seek same for the healthcare situation that is obviously in total disarray.

“Instead, on this matter, I would challenge the state government to go out there and hold open, not “arranged”, town-hall meetings, during which Deltans would be free to interrogate both the health policy and the state of healthcare in Delta State in the interest of the people.