Residents of Obiaruku, Ukwuani local government area, Delta State have raised concern over the lack of medical personnel at the only hospital in their community, regretting that only one doctor is available to attend to hundreds of patients on a daily basis.
They lamented that the lone doctor, at the Obiaruku General Hospital, is often forced to stop consultations due to exhaustion.
The community is now calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Area, Mr Ajede, members of the Delta State House of Assembly, (DSHA) especially, Hon. Dafe Chukudi, and other relevant government officials to take immediate action.
Noting the dangers of the acute shortage of medical personnel at the General Hospital, residents appealed to the Delta State government to urgently intervene and deploymore doctors and healthcare workers to the facility.
An Obiaruku resident, Mr Chidi Uwabuofu, disclosed that patients from Obiaruku and surrounding communities often crowd the facility, describing his experience at the hospital recently as troubling and dangerous for public health.
According to him, he arrived at the hospital at about 9 a.m. for a routine medical check-up but did not leave until late in the evening due to the long waiting time caused by the shortage of medical staff.
He also recounted a distressing incident involving a breastfeeding mother who reportedly left the hospital around 3:00 pm with her sick infant after the lone doctor was forced to stop consultations due to exhaustion.
“The doctor was clearly overwhelmed by the workload. It was painful to watch a mother walk away with her sick baby because there was no other doctor to attend to her. She had no option but to return the next day since she could not afford private healthcare.”
He warned that prolonged delays in treatment could worsen patients’ conditions, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.
Uwabuofu further noted that the hospital, which is already facing challenges of inadequate equipment, is unable to function effectively due to the lack of sufficient medical personnel.
He said the situation at Obiaruku General Hospital may reflect deeper systemic issues affecting healthcare delivery across Ukwuani communities.
“Our people’s health should not be taken for granted. Access to proper healthcare is a basic right, and the government must act now to prevent avoidable suffering and loss of lives.” Uwabuofu stated.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him.
Delta: Obiaruku community facing health crisis as General Hospital struggles with one doctor
