Nigeria’s Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) says the company and its joint venture partners have supported more than 27 public health facilities in the Niger Delta.
He said he remained committed to building the capacity of health professionals, in order to provide quality and affordable health care services in the Niger Delta.
The Head of Corporate Relations of the SPDC, Mr. Igo Weli, said this during the ongoing training on quality improvement for health professionals from some public hospitals in Yenagoa.
The Tide source reports that the training involved medical professionals from select public hospitals in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The oil company donated two ambulances and solar-powered vaccine freezers to Edagbebiri Cottage Hospital, Rivers, and Otuasega Cottage Hospital, Bayelsa.
Ambulances are equipped with mini intensive care units.
Weli, who was represented on the occasion by Mr. Amaechi Ijeoma, Head of Corporate Relations (West) SPDC, said the support was for infrastructure upgrades, health system strengthening, equipment, supplies and capacity building.
“As a company, SPDC understands the role of a quality healthcare service in improving overall health outcomes and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Therefore, as part of the organization’s commitment to its host communities, we have begun the journey of quality improvement in all supported health facilities,” Weli said.
According to him, improving health in health care facilities requires systemic and continuous actions that lead to measurable improvement, as long as the health care provided reflects professional knowledge and standards.
Chief Medical Director of the Niger Delta University Hospital Center (NDUTH), Professor Dimie Ogoina, said NDUTH’s quality improvement program increased performance from 24% in 2014 to 57% in 2018 .
Ogoina, a training resource person, said the teaching hospital aims to be the first public hospital to achieve international certification for quality improvement in Nigeria.
Showcasing the ambulances and vaccine storage freezers, Managing Director of NAPIMS Group, the investment arm of NNPC Ltd, Mr Bala Wunti said the move would bring the benefits of oil exploration to Nigerians.
Wunti, who was represented at the event by Mrs. Bumi Lawson, Director of NAPIM, urged the management of beneficiary health facilities to wisely deploy the items in a responsible manner.
In response, Dr. Ajoebi Oluwalobi, Permanent Secretary of the Bayelsa Ministry of Health, commended donors for the continued support to the health sector.
The permanent secretary called for the trend to continue.
More than 60 medical professionals from public medical facilities in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers are participating in the training in Yenagoa.