By PAULINA NZERUBE

Delta Neuropsychiatric Facility, Public Health Lab to Be Ready by March 2027

Government Targets Specialised Healthcare Gaps

THE Delta State Government has commenced moves to establish the state’s first neuropsychiatric facility and a modern public health laboratory.

Both projects are expected to be completed by March 2027, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, has said.

Onojaeme disclosed this during an interview with journalists. He said the projects formed part of efforts to address critical gaps in the state’s healthcare system.

According to him, the government identified the gaps through a comprehensive needs assessment conducted shortly after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori assumed office in 2023.

New Facility to Expand Mental Healthcare

The assessment identified the absence of a dedicated neuropsychiatric facility as one of the areas requiring urgent attention.

For years, residents requiring specialised psychiatric care have had to travel outside Delta State, particularly to Port Harcourt and Benin, for treatment.

Onojaeme said the situation had become more concerning amid rising drug abuse and increasing mental health challenges.

Consequently, the government is establishing the neuropsychiatric facility to bring specialised mental healthcare closer to residents.

The project is also expected to reduce the financial and logistical burden associated with travelling outside the state for treatment.

Public Health Laboratory to Boost Outbreak Response

Meanwhile, work is ongoing on a specialised public health laboratory designed to strengthen Delta’s diagnostic capacity.

Onojaeme recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks, samples collected in Delta were often transported to specialised laboratories in Irrua, Abuja and Lagos.

Such arrangements sometimes delayed the release of test results, he said.

The commissioner warned that delays could have serious consequences during disease outbreaks, when rapid diagnosis is essential for effective response.

Facility to Support Lassa Fever Testing

Onojaeme said the new laboratory would allow Delta to conduct specialised investigations within the state.

“With a Lassa fever outbreak, we no longer need to send our samples to other states to analyse and bring back. That will be done in Delta State,” he said.

The facility will be equipped with modern diagnostic technology, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines, to support testing for infectious diseases.

According to the commissioner, the laboratory is being developed in line with standards set by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Completion Target Set for March 2027

Onojaeme said he recently inspected the laboratory to assess the progress of construction.

He expressed confidence that the facility would be completed by March 2027.

The commissioner described the two projects as major investments in Delta’s health infrastructure.

He said they would improve access to specialised medical services while strengthening the state’s ability to detect and respond quickly to public health emergencies.