By Precious Amadi
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has commissioned a modernized Neuropsychiatric Hospital and a newly constructed General Hospital in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, as part of efforts to expand healthcare access and tackle mental health challenges in the state.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, Governor Fubara disclosed that the project was born out of a site inspection where he observed severe deterioration at the old facility, prompting a complete rebuilding and expansion. Originally established in 1970 with a 50-bed capacity, the upgraded psychiatric facility now features a modern 100-bed drug and substance abuse rehabilitation center.
Fubara noted that economic pressures, unemployment, and depression continue to fuel psychological distress and substance abuse among citizens, stressing that the revamped, secured complex would also curb illicit drug trafficking previously reported around the premises.
Addressing the newly built General Hospital, the Governor stated that Obio/Akpor—one of the state’s most populous local government areas—required a standard secondary healthcare facility to relieve pressure on tertiary institutions like the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
“Education, healthcare, and housing remain the core pillars of our administration,” Fubara said, appealing to the local government leadership and host community to protect the infrastructure from vandalism.
The Special Guest of Honour, outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, commended the state government’s focus on mental healthcare and urged the public to combat the societal stigma associated with seeking psychiatric treatment.
Providing technical details, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, revealed that both hospitals are fully furnished, equipped with modern diagnostic tools, and assigned new operational ambulances.
Wachukwu highlighted that the complex features an Accident & Emergency unit, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Newborn ICU, operating theatres, an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) center, a 216-bed students’ hostel, and a 12-unit staff residential quarters. To guarantee uninterrupted power, the facility is backed by a 500KVA transformer, a 350KVA generator, and a solar-inverter power system.
