The healthcare sector in Rivers State is undergoing a groundbreaking shift as Governor Siminalayi Fubara accelerates the transformation of the Rumuigbo Neuropsychiatric Hospital into a multi-functional modern medical hub.
In a progress report shared today, the administration confirmed that the facility, which has been undergoing extensive reconstruction since March 2024, is now nearing completion. This ambitious project aims to not only modernize mental health services but also to house the first-ever General Hospital for the residents of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
During his most recent inspection of the site, Governor Fubara expressed a firm commitment to correcting years of infrastructural neglect in the health sector. He noted that the old psychiatric facility had remained largely unchanged for decades, falling far below the standards required to manage contemporary mental health challenges.
“We decided to upgrade this facility to world-class standards, knowing the pressure our people are under due to economic and social stressors,” the Governor stated. The upgrade is being handled by Monier Construction Company (MCC) Nigeria Limited, a firm with a 70-year history in the state, ensuring that the structural integrity of the new hub meets international benchmarks.
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Upon the completion of the first phase, the hospital’s capacity will jump to 100 beds, significantly boosting the state’s ability to provide inpatient neuropsychiatric care. However, the scope of the project extends beyond mental health.
By integrating a General Hospital into the Rumuigbo site, the Fubara administration is solving a long-standing deficit for Obio-Akpor, which, despite its high population density, previously lacked a secondary-level government health facility. This model is designed to provide comprehensive care ranging from emergency services to specialized psychiatric rehabilitation.
The medical hub is being outfitted with state-of-the-art support infrastructure to ensure sustainability and staff welfare. This includes the construction of 12 units of two-bedroom staff quarters to keep essential personnel on-site, a dedicated conference hall for medical research, and an ICT center to digitize patient records.
Additionally, a modern drug storage facility and a morgue are being built to provide a full spectrum of clinical support. These additions align with the Governor’s “Rivers First” mantra, which puts first critical infrastructure that directly impacts the daily lives of citizens.
As of Tuesday Morning, the state government highlighted that this project is part of a larger ₦26.3 billion investment in healthcare, which includes the completion of zonal hospitals in Ahoada, Bori, Degema, and Omoku.
