THE Delta State Government has flagged off the establishment of a College of Health Technology in Ovrode, Isoko North Local Council, the second such in the state, to address the shortage of manpower in the health sector.

Performing the ground-breaking ceremony of the administrative building on Friday, May 17, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the institution would take-off with existing structures in Ovrode Grammar School, noting that his administration was investing in education and healthcare infrastructure for the sustainable prosperity and longevity of residents of the state.

He stated: “Today, the flag-off of the school marks a major step in the march towards strengthening our health care sector through the M.O.R.E Agenda. With this state-of-the-art facility, this institution will provide quality education and requisite practical know-how for healthcare professionals who are currently in short supply in the state.

“Today, we have less than 1,000 personnel servicing our health sector, whereas we need about 7,000 technical personnel to sustain it. It is the bridging this yawning gap that has informed the establishment of this college.

“I urge the management and staff of the College to be dedicated and committed to producing high quality health care professionals capable of serving our people, with transparent diligence, love and empathy.

“Healthcare is not just about diagnosis and treatment of illnesses; it is also about promoting wellness and preventing diseases through effective advocacy to ensure the well-being of every citizen.

“Through investment in education and healthcare infrastructure, we are investing in the sustainable prosperity and longevity of our dear citizens. I sincerely appreciate the World Bank for its timely supportive partnership with the Delta State Government in the improvement of our health indices.”

The governor commended the state Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress By Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services Project (IMPACT) team for making the vision a reality, the Ministry of Education for its support by willingly providing Ovrode Grammar School for the take-off of the College and other stakeholders who have demonstrated unflinching support for the project.

Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, explained that the project signified the state government’s commitment to enhancing health care education and infrastructure across the state in line with the governor’s campaign promises.

Onojaeme said the College would play a crucial role in shaping the future of health care delivery in the state, adding that Delta keyed into the IMPACT, in response to the Federal Government’s commitment to improve its human capital by reducing under-five mortality rate by half by 2030.

President General of Ovrode Community, Mr. Simon Okata, thanked the governor for appointing an illustrious son of the community as commissioner for Health and for approving the siting of the College in Ovrode, saying it was a divine fulfillment of Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda.

He appealled to the governor to construct the three-kilometre Ovrode-Aradhe Road to link the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.

President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU), Prof. Chris Akpotu, lauded Oborevwori for choosing Isoko and Ovrode as location of the College, adding: “Isoko people are happy and overwhelmed and we appreciate our dear governor on this massive project.    

“We also thank Oborevwori for ongoing works on the College of Medicine at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, as well as the massive transformation on the Isoko section of the Ughelli-Asaba Expressway.

“The Isoko people will continue to be partners with the governor and the state government in the implementation of his MORE Agenda aimed at advancing Delta.”