Healthcare delivery and access to medical services took centre stage in Rivers State on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara used the commissioning tour of two newly completed hospitals in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to highlight his administration’s investment in public health infrastructure.

During the inspection of the newly constructed General Hospital and remodelled Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo, the governor said the projects were designed to address long-standing gaps in healthcare services for residents in surrounding communities. He explained that the decision to build the facilities followed concerns about the absence of a nearby general hospital for people living around Rumuigbo, Rumuola and Rumuolumeni.

Fubara said the state government discovered wider healthcare challenges during an earlier visit linked to mental health concerns in the area. According to him, residents previously relied heavily on the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment, despite the distance from many communities in the axis.

The governor, who was taken round the facilities by the Director of Medical Services in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, inspected hospital wards, staff quarters, an ICT centre, conference halls and hostel accommodation. He described the completion of the projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to delivering services that directly impact residents.

While addressing journalists during the tour, Fubara also responded to speculation surrounding his political future ahead of the 2027 elections. The governor dismissed reports suggesting he had defected to another political party, insisting that he remains a member of the All Progressives Congress and would continue working in what he described as the overall interest of the party.

The governor urged residents to focus on governance outcomes rather than political rumours circulating on social media. He maintained that improving public welfare remains his administration’s priority, saying the completion of the hospitals reflects a broader effort to strengthen healthcare access and respond to critical needs within Rivers communities.