3 hours ago
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By Deinmobofa Tantua
In the last one week, Bayelsa State has played host to a number of very important personalities (VIPs), who were in the state for the commissioning of projects planned and executed by the state governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Among the eminent Nigerians, who were in the state to inaugurate landmark projects and perform groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the fifth year anniversary of Governor Diri’s administration were the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, governors of Plateau, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, as well as the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali-Pate.
The avalanche of impactful projects executed by the governor tells the story of the ongoing transformation that is going on in the oil rich state, and explains the commitment of the Diri-led Prosperity Assured Administration to give Bayelsans a new lease of life and a solid hope for a better future.
It is also a fulfilment of the promises he made during his first and second term electioneering campaigns to deliver only the best for his people. Diri matched words with action and brought a lot of dividends of democracy to Bayelsa State, thereby improving the living standard of Bayelsans.
One of the projects that stands out among the many that have been commissioned so far, is the state of the art Hemodialysis Centre located at the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) in Yenagoa, the state capital. The facility is one of the many ongoing interventions by the governor to boost medical service delivery in the state.
Following its successful inauguration, Bayelsa made history as the first state in Nigeria to have a fully equipped haemodialysis centre, capable of handling communicable diseases, cancer-related cases, and more. This groundbreaking achievement is part of Governor Diri’s Assured Prosperity Agenda, which prioritises the state’s development, including advancements in the health sector.
The centre is designed to provide top-tier renal care and outpatient services, and is expected to bridge the gap in renal healthcare, offering localised care that meets international standards.
His commitment to improving healthcare in Bayelsa State is evident in his administration’s efforts to establish cutting-edge medical facilities. The haemodialysis centre stands out as a testament to this vision, providing hope for millions of Nigerians affected by kidney disease and other critical health conditions.
The haemodialysis centre is one of the facilities attached to the once moribund 500-bed hospital. It was established to address major non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and kidney failure.
Prof. Ali-Pate, who praised Governor Diri for prioritising the health of the people of Bayelsa while inaugurating the centre, described the development as a milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system and expanding access to quality care and to provide life-saving treatment for individuals with chronic kidney disease.
The centre will help reduce both the financial and physical burden of treatment, as well as the need for long-distance travel for care by providing access to state-of-the-art dialysis services.
Also, inaugurated by the Minister during his recent visit to Bayelsa State, was the General Outpatient Centre at the 500-bed hospital in the Bayelsa Medical University, where he highlighted that the milestone reinforces the state’s commitment to primary healthcare revitalization, expanding patient access, and ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals receives hands-on training in a well-equipped environment.
Speaking during the commissioning of the centre, the Health and Social Welfare Minister, noted that tackling a major health issue like non-communicable disease in Nigeria was a strong statement of commitment by the governor as it touches the lives of millions of people. He noted that what the Bayelsa State Government was doing in the health sector was in line with the Federal Government’s health policy, where states invest their resources and the Federal Government complements that to address the needs of the people.
The appointment of Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, a seasoned health professional as Commissioner for Health by Diri, also attracted the commendation of the minister, and further underscores the premium he places on health.
The Governor confidently told the minister at the event that his government broke the jinx by equipping the 500-bed hospital with state-of-the-art facilities, including the Hemodialysis and General Out-Patient Centre.
According to him, the centre was conceived due to the death of his mother, who suffered from renal failure in 2023, and his desire to have such a facility to treat those with similar health conditions.
In his transparent nature, the governor announced that the N500 million donated to the Bayelsa Medical University by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had been judiciously used and stressed that his administration does not play politics with development as the facility will not only serve Bayelsa but also other neighbouring states that have students in the university.
In his words: “I feel very fulfilled that our people will no longer die of renal failure. I feel fulfilled that we can now offer these services to Bayelsans and to Nigerians. I was very happy when the medical university authorities approached me about this haemodialysis centre. Without wasting time, I approved it. I already had an inner desire for this haemodialysis centre”.
There is no doubt that by the end of the second tenure of this administration, Bayelsa State will become a major hub for people across the country and beyond, who are seeking the best medical services.
All that the governor needs for the few years he has to run the affairs of the state is to stay focused and not allow himself to be distracted by people who do not mean well for the state.
It is legacy projects like the haemodialysis centre that has made Diri win the hearts of the people of Bayelsa. These projects and the sustained peace in the state have been game changers. Little wonder he was overwhelmingly voted for and returned for a second term.
• Tantua, a lawyer and Director of Strategic Communication, Network of Bayelsa Professionals, writes from PH.
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