March 21, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government has announced plans to upgrade the state-owned 500-bed hospital, located at the main campus of Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, into a full-fledged teaching hospital to enhance medical education and healthcare services.
Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Bayelsa State branch, at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Ewhrudjakpo explained that the medical facility would be equipped and restructured to serve as the Bayelsa Medical University Teaching Hospital (BMUTH), aligning with the institution’s status as a specialized medical university.
Commending the NMA leadership for suspending their proposed warning strike, the deputy governor assured that the government had initiated measures to comprehensively address the wage-related concerns raised by the association.
He also acknowledged concerns over the absence of a functional MRI facility in any of the state’s hospitals, describing the situation as worrisome and promising government intervention.
On power supply, Ewhrudjakpo reiterated the state government’s commitment to deploying a 60-megawatt gas turbine to improve electricity supply, stressing that uninterrupted power remains a key priority under the administration’s ASSURED Agenda.
The deputy governor further assured the NMA of the government’s support for the association’s ongoing secretariat project in Yenagoa and its bid to host the South-South zonal meeting.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NMA, Bayelsa State branch, Dr. Wilcox Izibeya, commended the state government’s efforts in revitalizing the health sector.
He, however, highlighted the urgent need for MRI medical equipment in hospitals across the state and sought government’s assistance in supporting the association’s secretariat project, as well as its participation in the forthcoming NMA Annual Convention slated for April 27 to May 2 in Katsina State.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
