Oborevwori Commissions New Dialysis Centre In Asaba
By NWAFOR AZINGE
A New Lifeline for Kidney Patients in Asaba
DELTA State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding access to specialised healthcare as he commissioned the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis Centre at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
The facility, donated to the hospital by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) through the His Love Foundation, is expected to expand the hospital’s capacity to provide dialysis services and reduce the pressure on patients who previously had to endure long waiting periods for treatment.
Representing the governor at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, described healthcare as a fundamental responsibility of government. He said the facility aligned with the health component of the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its emphasis on improving medical infrastructure and bringing specialised care closer to residents.
“This is more than a medical facility. It is a centre of hope and life-saving facility for people living with kidney disease,” Oborevwori said through his representative.
Three Machines, Greater Capacity
The new centre is equipped with three Nefro 4000A dialysis machines, three dialysis patient couches, a modern water-treatment plant, three B-Cluch UPS systems and a 30KVA diesel-powered generator.
For FMC Asaba, the additional equipment addresses a significant capacity problem.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr. Ekeneam Omo, said the dialysis unit had previously operated with only two machines, despite demand coming not only from Asaba but also from other parts of Delta State and neighbouring states.
According to him, patients sometimes had to wait for hours or even days before receiving treatment. The pressure on the existing machines also increased the risk of breakdowns, creating further distress for people whose medical conditions require regular dialysis.
“For a patient with end-stage renal failure, missing a dialysis session can be fatal,” Omo said.
He explained that the new centre would effectively double the hospital’s dialysis capacity, allowing more patients to be treated each day and reducing waiting times.
The hospital management also pledged to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained and used exclusively for its intended purpose. Omo said measures had been put in place to prevent shortages of dialysis consumables and ensure regular servicing of the machines.
Community Support Complements Government
The commissioning also highlighted the growing role of community intervention in strengthening public healthcare infrastructure.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, recalled that the Asaba community had donated a dialysis machine each to FMC Asaba and Asaba Specialist Hospital on 22 April 2026.
He said the community’s intervention reflected an understanding that government could not bear the entire burden of healthcare provision alone.
Azinge commended the RCCG for donating the new facility and described the intervention as a significant contribution to healthcare delivery in the state. He also disclosed that the traditional institution was exploring the possibility of establishing a cancer diagnostic centre in Asaba to reduce the need for residents to travel outside the city for preliminary cancer investigations and treatment.
The monarch urged other faith-based and corporate organisations to consider similar interventions.
Beyond the Commissioning
The new dialysis centre comes against the background of broader efforts by Delta State to improve healthcare infrastructure.
State government publications indicate that the Oborevwori administration has invested in upgrading and equipping healthcare facilities, including general hospitals and primary healthcare centres, while the state’s contributory health insurance scheme has continued to expand its enrolment base.
The state has also identified specialised healthcare infrastructure as part of its broader health-sector development agenda. Previous government budget documents, for instance, have included projects relating to dialysis facilities and hospital rehabilitation.
For patients with kidney disease, however, the significance of the latest project is more immediate.
Oborevwori said the centre would reduce the burden of referrals, long-distance travel and treatment delays, while providing patients with more accessible and dignified care.
The governor also urged FMC Asaba management to maintain the facility to high professional standards and ensure that the equipment is protected from avoidable damage.
The commissioning, therefore, represents more than the opening of another hospital facility. It demonstrates how government investment, community intervention and faith-based philanthropy can converge around a critical healthcare need.
For FMC Asaba, the immediate challenge will be ensuring that the new capacity translates into affordable, reliable and sustained dialysis services for the growing number of patients who depend on them.
