By Watchmann

The ongoing neglect of the Polobubo Cottage Hospital in Delta State has resulted in severe health repercussions for the local community, where residents have linked the abandonment of the facility to a tragic increase in preventable deaths. 

Constructed with an investment of ₦596 million through a partnership between Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Egbema-Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation, the hospital was officially handed over to the Delta State Government in 2018 but has since remained non-operational.

The consequences of the hospital’s unserviceable state are particularly severe for women and vulnerable groups.

Personal accounts from some residents, Mrs. Christiana Abulu and Mrs. Fine Odunwon highlight heartbreaking stories of loss and the daily challenges faced in seeking medical care. Pregnant women face increased risks without access to prenatal and postnatal services, leading to tragic outcomes that could have been avoided.

Other residents, led by community leader, Paul Toruwei, have expressed their frustration over the situation, emphasizing that the lack of medical staff and resources has turned treatable health conditions into fatal incidents.

Toruwei pointed out that the hospital was established to serve the community, which plays a significant role in the economy through its oil operations yet suffers from inadequate healthcare services.

Toruwei called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take immediate action by deploying qualified healthcare personnel, restoring medical equipment, and providing ongoing funding to make the facility operational again.

The community is urging the government to fulfill its responsibility to protect the health and lives of its citizens, emphasizing that hundreds of lives lost are not just statistics, but real people impacted by government inaction.