In 2015, Nigeria’s Infant Mortality rate was estimated at 78.7 deaths per 1000 live births. 2 years after that, Nigeria ranked No.9 on the list of countries with the highest rate of infant Mortality Rate. (CIA World Facts)

Infant mortality is the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births. (CDC.gov)

Aside from Infant Mortality, another area of concern is Maternal Mortality.

In 2015, Nigeria’s estimated maternal mortality ratio was over 800 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, with approximately 58 000 maternal deaths during that year. By comparison, the total number of maternal deaths in 2015 in the 46 most developed countries was 1700, resulting in a maternal mortality ratio of 12 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. In fact, a Nigerian woman has a 1 in 22 lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum/post-abortion; whereas in the most developed countries, the lifetime risk is 1 in 4900. (WHO.it)

A look at the statistics above shows that there is more to do as regards Mother and Child Care health.

Towards the end of the last administration, the State Government in an agreement with the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC planned on the Construction of a Mother and Child Hospital which was intended as a joint ownership between the State Government and the NDDC. Funds where said to have been released by the then government in power. However, the project was stalled and abandoned as NDDC failed on their part to provide its own counterpart funding.

With Gov. Wike coming to power in 2015, and with the many legal tussle that ensued till 2016, the Governor announced in the late part of 2016 that the State Government was cancelling its Joint Ownership Agreement with NDDC for their failure in paying their counterpart funds. He also stated that the State Government was taking over full funding of the project and the final tranche of payment for the completion of the project had been made to the contractor.

Due to the Governor’s desire to see to the speedily completion of the facility, Governor Wike also went on to release over 70 percent of the funding need for the purchase of equipment for the said Hospital.

The Ultra-modern Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt is aimed at providing specialised services in the areas of Mother and Childcare. The magnitude of the facility is deliberately constructed to serve the need of the state in that regards.

Apart from the Ultra-modern Mother and Child Hospital, the NEW Administration have made many interventions in the health sector.

From the establishment of a Medical School in the Rivers State University, to the upgrading of the former Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with an investment of $10Million in purchased medical equipment. The massive intervention in the renovation of otherwise moribund secondary healthcare institutions in the state with the simultaneous rehabilitation of several General Hospitals, the Construction of Magnificent Dima Denni-Fiberesima Doctors Quarters and the approval of the implementation of the corrected Consolidated Medical Salary Scale for doctors in Rivers State service.

The Government also embarked on the Construction of 4 Multi-Storey Regional Referral Hospitals in Bori, Degema, Okehi and Omoku, and also saw to the reconstruction, furnishing, and equipping of some of General Hospitals across variously LGAs of the state.

Heath is a priority as far as human existence is concerned and the “NEW” Administration has treated it in same manner. Governor Wike also hinted on the Government’s plan to construct an international Specialist Hospital during a visit to him by the National President, Nigerian Medical Association. He said that the proposed New Specialist Hospital will promote medical tourism in Rivers State. According to the Governor, the new specialist hospital will have a helipad, modern equipment for the treatment of cancer, kidney, heart and liver diseases. It is aimed at stemming foreign trips by Nigerians for healthcare services hereby conserving foreign exchange for the country.

The commitment of the “NEW” administration in the area of healthcare is one without doubts as empirical evidence abound. However, with the administration having 3 more years to go, we hope and look forward to further interventions and development in the sector.


Ugochukwu Oputa (@UgoOputa) writes from Port Harcourt.

Visuals of the interior of the Ultra-Modern Mother and Child Hospital

Cc Lalasticlala Mynd44

Gov. Wike inspecting Some equipments procured for the Facility

Cc: Lalasticlala Mynd44

The Newly establishment Medical College at the Rivers State University

The newly upgraded Rivers State Teaching Hospital

wike my man

Doctors Quarters

Photos from the construction period of the Ultra-Modern Mother and Child Hospital

Multi Storey regional referral Hospital, Degema

Wike

U guys should do more of this, this is what we have been complaining about.

Nice one
E try for this wan o

Talk and do

Its commendable.

Talk and do governor

commendable
I think Nigeria
is the fastest and the best in terms of healthcare
in Africa ������

As long as it’s Rivers State/Wike, the broom waving witches and wizards aka APC zombies won’t like this. It doesn’t matter to those demons that this hospital will save thousands of lives. Besides, where’s that Clinotech of Canada hospital that Amaechi promised ? Huge amount of moneys were disbursed but absolutely nothing is on ground, the Rivers state government petitioned the EFCC about the scam so that Amaechi would be prosecuted but Buhari and APC who wallow in corruption as usual made sure the petition didn’t see daylight. Congratulations my working governor, congratulations also to the blessed people of Rivers state. APC zombies can die a violent death for all I care

This is amazing

You sabi work, Wike

He tried.

Emperor

While the south south and south east are busy developing its infrastructure and creating jobs for their citizens the north are busy fighting for power and empowering terrorism and banditry...a time will come when the quota system we have always allowed this northern guys to have will make them feel more of them should be employed to enjoy the development of the south south in the name of being one Nigeria and they will even go as far as wanting to fight for it just as they are doing with people's lands and farms with their cattles

Commendable

good one

PROPHETmichael:
Talk and do governor

Oil dey your head. You be intelligent person, your IQ go pass 200. Respect

Better employ a private company for maintenance.

Check back in six years time and find infrastructural rot!

Opportunity for Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Lab scientists, and non-clinical staff such as secretaries, bursars, etc.

that's a good feature from the government. I know they are performing their duty and as such, there shouldn't be need to appreciate them especially when when also see contract like this as an avenue to "move" the public wealth.


I wish this could perform beyond the ondo sate mother and child healthcare programme during Dr olusegun Kimiko regime. once again, congratulation in advance to all pregnant woman out there and I wish you a happy and safe delivery.

maybe it would be delivery room and not labour room

meanwhile, for you topnotch and unique artwork, p.o.p feel free to visit my signature

Just mother and child. Men done suffer sha

Nice one from him.

Wike my man

The slayer of APC and buhari

Nigerian polithievians and their adjectives.

What is ULTRA MODERN in this

I think Wike is trying, but Rivers people need to stop producing thugs as governors

Wike's voice often makes me wonder who made him a lawyer. That man don use Indian hemp scatter him voice

Please get a decent man like Dakuku Peterside

Why the fuss?
Is it not his constitutional responsibility to provide such for his people?
Politics and governance in this clime is just an apology.
A couple of structures and equipments equate an administration’s legacy? Interesting!

Good development