By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri has continued to receive accolades for transforming the primary and secondary health subsectors in the State.
The State Ministry of Health, on Wednesday, said the Diri led administration had, in the last two years upgraded 62 primary and secondary health facilities across the state as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare delivery.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Seiyefa Brisibe, stated this during the 201st session of the state’s executive council in government house, Yenagoa.
He said government equipped and rehabilitated 49 primary and 13 secondary health facilities within Yenagoa metropolis and in far-flung communities in the state.
The commissioner appreciated the Diri-led administration for its investment in human capacity development initiatives, stating that it had improved welfare of health workers by directing that every health facility had residential accommodation with at least two sources of power supply.
Acording to Brisibe, another success achieved in the sector was the provision of ambulance services and the approval of various welfare packages for health workers aimed at enhancing productivity and effective service delivery.
His words: “I stand here today, Your Excellency, to extol and celebrate your phenomenal development effort in creating access to quality and robust healthcare for all Bayelsans.
“Between 2024 and today, we have upgraded, renovated and equipped 49 primary healthcare facilities across the state.
“Also within this period, you have upgraded, renovated and equipped 13 secondary care facilities across the state.
“One of the most intriguing part of this investment is that it is not just about facilities in Yenagoa but also about creating access to those very difficult to reach areas.
“You have also invested in all of the health sector value chain to improve access by providing ambulance services and also invested in human capital development.
“You directed that any health facility that we renovate or upgrade or build must have residential quarters for the workers. You also directed that the health facility must have a minimum of two sources of power supply. That is, either it is solarised with a generator, or with the national grid.”
While presenting a delegation from the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) led by the president, Dr. Annas Idris, Brisibe explained that the association had about 20,000 membership across the country under the employ of various state governments in secondary healthcare facilities in rural areas.
The NAGGMDP president presented an Award of Exemplary Leadership to the governor in recognition of his administration’s investment in the health sector.
He commended the state’s use of drone technology to deliver essential medical supplies such as blood and vaccines to hard-to-reach communities as well as the renovation of primary and secondary health facilities.
Idris equally lauded the approval of improved welfare packages for medical and dental practitioners, including accomplishment allowances, specialist allowances and the reviewed professional allowances table, saying it will boost productivity and curb brain drain.
He recalled the association’s 2025 outreach through the Nigerian Doctors Foundation in Southern Ijaw, Sagbama, Ogbia and Yenagoa, during which medical services and assistive devices were provided at the state’s School for Children with Special Needs.
He canvassed support for the 2026 International Day of Persons with Disability scheduled for December 3, 2026 to cover the remaining four local government areas.
Responding, Governor Douye Diri expressed delight for the honour and dedicated the award to the Health Commissioner and the state executive council for their excellent work.
Diri expressed his administration’s determination to prioritise investment in the health sector, stressing that Bayelsa was among the few states in the country with a specialised medical university.
“You can imagine the level of investment in certain institutions, and I am sure that your colleagues from Bayelsa would have taken you around the Bayelsa Medical University here in Yenagoa, and the other campus in Sampou.
“I believe you have seen what we have done, as you rightly mentioned, with Zipline in delivering health services to far-flung communities, which hitherto would have taken us a longer time to reach. But through the Zipline drone system, it takes only minutes for the requirements and consignment to be delivered to those communities. As a government, we will continue to prioritise healthcare.”
The Bayelsa governor restated his call on politicians and their supporters to engage in issue-based campaigns during this political season rather than resorting to abusive language.
He advised them to guard against utterances that could cause disaffection and destabilise the state, noting that beyond politics Bayelsans remain brothers and sisters.
