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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurated a newly upgraded Neuropsychiatric Hospital and a new General Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, saying the facilities will strengthen healthcare delivery and tackle the growing challenges of mental illness and substance abuse in the state.
The governor said the projects were conceived after he discovered the poor state of the existing psychiatric hospital and the increasing cases of drug abuse and addiction across Rivers State.
Speaking during the inauguration, Fubara recalled visiting a small rehabilitation centre being constructed by the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board with limited resources, an experience he said prompted his administration to rethink mental healthcare in the state.
"How could a state like this build a rehabilitation centre with less than 20 rooms because of the challenge of substance abuse? It was there that we decided to rebuild, remodernise and upgrade the Neuropsychiatric Hospital to meet modern standards," he said.
Fubara explained that the upgraded psychiatric hospital, originally established in the 1970s, now features a modern 100-bed rehabilitation centre designed to provide quality treatment and recovery services for people battling mental health conditions and substance addiction.
He noted that the previous state of the hospital had made it vulnerable to criminal activities, including drug trafficking within the premises, but expressed confidence that improved security, perimeter fencing and controlled access would curb such practices.
"Some of these things are not deliberate. Circumstances led our people into them. Unemployment and other psychological challenges have contributed to addiction, and those affected deserve proper rehabilitation," the governor said.
Fubara explained that the decision to construct the General Hospital alongside the psychiatric facility followed the discovery that the area lacked a secondary healthcare facility, forcing residents to rely on the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital for many medical services.
He said the new General Hospital would provide quality secondary healthcare, reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals and improve access to medical services for residents of Obio-Akpor and surrounding communities.
Describing healthcare, education and housing as the three pillars of a functional society, Fubara assured residents that his administration would continue investing heavily in those sectors.
"A good and complete society must ensure that three critical areas are strong: education, healthcare and housing. By the special grace of God, we are doing our best to improve these important sectors," he stated.
The governor urged the Obio-Akpor Local Government Council and members of the host community to protect the facilities from vandalism and ensure they are properly maintained.
"Don't say it is government property; it is your own. It is located in your community, and you may not get another opportunity like this for a long time. Protect it because it belongs to all of us," he appealed.
Fubara commended the Rivers State Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board for delivering the projects, describing them as another demonstration of his administration's commitment to improving the welfare of Rivers people.
He also disclosed that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), was invited to inaugurate the facilities to give the landmark projects national recognition.
Inaugurating the hospitals, Osigwe praised Governor Fubara for prioritising the welfare and security of Rivers people through strategic investments in healthcare, particularly mental health services.
He said the twin hospitals would improve access to quality medical care, reduce medical tourism, strengthen specialised healthcare services and contribute significantly to the state's development.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Nwachukwu, described the facilities as modern, fully equipped hospitals built to meet contemporary healthcare standards and improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara received widespread commendation from dignitaries, healthcare stakeholders and residents following the commissioning of the projects.
Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Dr. Gift Worlu, described the hospitals as a major milestone that would significantly improve healthcare services in the council area.
Community leader, Chief Melford Timothy, described the projects as transformational, saying they would bring quality and specialised healthcare closer to residents of Obio-Akpor and neighbouring communities.
Also speaking, Hon. Mrs. Felicia Akaniwor thanked Governor Fubara for what she described as a life-changing investment in the health and future of Rivers people, noting that the facilities would enhance emergency response and specialised medical care.
Another community representative, Mrs. Chinyere Adiele, commended the governor for delivering the projects and urged residents to take ownership of the hospitals to ensure they continue to provide lasting healthcare and socio-economic benefits for generations.
