The Rivers State Government has restated its strong commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system through sustained human capital development, highlighting the importance of producing competent medical professionals as a core priority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
This pledge was made on Friday during the second medical induction ceremony for 27 newly qualified doctors at the Rivers State University (RSU) College of Medicine, Nkpolu Oroworukwo.
Representing Governor Fubara, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, said the “Health4AllRivers” initiative goes beyond infrastructure development. She explained that the programme places equal emphasis on training, regulating, and improving the welfare of healthcare workers.
Dr. Oreh stressed that universal health coverage cannot be achieved without deliberate and sustained investment in the medical workforce. She added that the state’s healthcare progress depends heavily on the availability of well-trained and supported professionals.
“Our commitment to strengthening the state’s healthcare system is anchored on the quality of our professionals. Achieving health for all depends largely on having an adequate number of well-trained and properly supported medical professionals who are duly recognized for the excellence they provide,” she said.
The Commissioner urged the new doctors to go beyond clinical practice by engaging in advocacy, research, and administrative roles. She also reminded them that upholding the Hippocratic Oath is essential as they are expected to lead public health innovations in the state.
Earlier in the ceremony, RSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, praised Governor Fubara’s developmental policies, saying they have significantly improved educational standards at the university and helped maintain a steady flow of medical graduates.
Professor Kenneth Ordu, Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, stated that the growing number of graduates is a sign that Rivers State is moving closer to overcoming its medical manpower challenges. He appealed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) to absorb the 27 inductees for their housemanship to ensure their skills are immediately utilised for public service.
The event concluded with the administration of the professional oath, officially marking the entry of the 27 doctors into the medical profession.
