Onyinyechi DURU
Natives and residents of Ogoniland have vehemently commended the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, over the completion and inauguration of the Bori Zonal Hospital.
The hospital being inaugurated was initiated during the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi and inherited by the immediate past administration but could not drive it to completion.
The excited Ogoni residents thanked Fubara for completing the project which was inaugurated on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
In her welcome address, Head of Local Government Administration of Khana Local Government Council, Mrs Helen Chiorlu, said the Bori Zonal Hospital, located in the heart of Khana LGA, was a magnificent edifice.
Chiorlu noted that the hospital stands as a testament to the commitment of the governor to uplift and transform the living standards and health status of the people.
Commenting on the project, the governor said it was very satisfying to see to the fulfilment of an aspect of the agenda of his administration, which is ‘Rivers First’, particularly in healthcare delivery.
He explained the promise made to Rivers people by his administration to improve healthcare delivery, enhance provision of quality education, robust agriculture, and the protection of lives and property, which he said, are pursued assiduously.
According to Fubara, “When we came on board, we saw there is a need to ensure that all the Zonal Hospitals, not just Bori, all the Zonal Hospitals we have in Etche, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema are completed.
“The essence of these secondary facilities is to reduce the pressure in the teaching hospitals. If you go to the teaching hospitals, you will see the number of our people struggling to get quality services.
“So, we felt if the Zonal Hospitals are properly fixed up to standard, there won’t be a need of this issue of scrambling in order to get medical attention in our teaching hospitals. And for that reason, we didn’t end by just fixing it the way we met it, we believe that it will be proper that this facility is expanded and everything that is needed in a standard health facility is provided. And, I can tell you, to the glory of God today, those things are all in this compound.”
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Governor Fubara, who said the health of Rivers people, their wellbeing and success are paramount, directed the Commissioner for Health to ensure that the facility is open for use immediately.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the Bori Zonal Hospital is not just a building but a symbol of progress, hope, and a brighter future wherein the people at the grassroots will be offered world-class medical services.
Dr Oreh stated: “This Zonal Hospital is a 105-bed capacity secondary healthcare facility located in Bori, Khana Local Government Area. It is housed in a three storey building with support buildings, including a laundry, mortuary, staff quarters for 24 health personnel and their households, parking for 50 vehicles.
“It is specially important to note, Your Excellency, that giving your attention to the health sector, health facility attendance in Rivers South-East alone has increased by nearly 60 percent from about 589,000 patients in 2022 to nearly 1,000,000 between 2022 and 2024.
“The project objectives were first to provide referral secondary healthcare services with high quality equipment, which has been supplied by JNCI Limited for diagnosis and patients management of surgical cases, high risk pregnancies, trauma, critical healthcare conditions, newborn injuries and complications, and importantly, mental health issues to residents of Ogoniland and Rivers South-East Senatorial District.”
