The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Health has directed the management of the Central Hospital, Kwale, to ensure the immediate activation and full utilization of its Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which has remained non-functional despite being fully equipped.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. (Dr.) Ferguson Onwo, issued the directive on Thursday during an oversight visit to the hospital in Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Hon. Onwo expressed dismay that the ICU, donated by philanthropist Mr. Chucks Agidigbo, had been left idle despite its critical role in emergency and life-saving healthcare delivery.
Describing the situation as “unacceptable,” the lawmaker warned that such neglect could discourage future collaborations and donations from well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies.
“Government alone cannot do everything. We must encourage private sector participation, but that is only possible when donated facilities are fully utilized, like this ICU donated by a great son of Delta State, Chucks Agidigbo,” Onwo stated.
He urged the hospital management to expedite the recruitment of qualified medical personnel to man the ICU, emphasizing that the value of human life demanded urgent action.
Onwo, who represents Isoko South Constituency II, conducted the inspection alongside other committee members, Hon. Bernard Odior, Hon. Festus Utuama and Hon. Perkins Umukoro.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to providing legislative support to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
In his response, the Chief Medical Director, Kwale Zone of the Hospital Management Board, Dr. Lawrence Afinotan, who represented the Board Chairman and the Permanent Secretary, acknowledged the committee’s concerns and explained that the ICU had remained unused due to a shortage of specialized staff.
Dr. Afinotan assured that once the ongoing recruitment process is concluded, the ICU would be fully operational, noting that the facility is adequately equipped to deliver quality healthcare services.
He appealed to the committee for continued support to address manpower challenges affecting the hospital.
