Delta Trains 50 Doctors for Advanced Cancer Care Ahead of Osubi Hospital Launch

The Delta State Government has trained more than 50 medical doctors in early cancer detection, diagnosis, and specialized referral procedures ahead of the planned launch of advanced oncology services at the Osubi Specialist Hospital.

The one-day capacity-building exercise, organized by the Department of Medical Services and Training under the State Ministry of Health, took place at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba.

The program forms part of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s strategic initiative to expand access to tertiary healthcare facilities and reduce the need for Delta residents to travel out of the state for specialized medical care.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Gloria Ferife, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, emphasized that equipping frontline medical staff is critical to establishing an effective statewide referral network. He disclosed that the state government has approved the recruitment of over 700 new health workers and introduced the tax-free “MORE Specialist Allowance” to motivate, attract, and retain skilled medical practitioners across Delta State facilities.

Health officials, including the Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr. Uwomano Oghounu, and Consultant Radiologist at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Dr. Daniel Isoje, urged the trained physicians to maintain detailed clinical records and ensure swift referrals.

They noted that combining state-of-the-art infrastructure at Osubi Specialist Hospital with early diagnosis will significantly improve survival rates and reduce the logistical burden on cancer patients.