Delta State to Build First Neuropsychiatric Facility by 2027

The Delta State Government has initiated the establishment of the state’s first neuropsychiatric facility and a state-of-the-art public health laboratory, responding to increasing drug abuse and mental health issues. Dr Joseph Onojaeme, the state Commissioner for Health, announced that both projects are set for completion by March 2027.

This initiative follows a comprehensive needs assessment conducted after Governor Sheriff Oborevwori took office in 2023, which identified the lack of a dedicated neuropsychiatric facility and a specialized public health laboratory as critical gaps in the healthcare system. Currently, residents requiring psychiatric care often travel to Port Harcourt and Benin for treatment.

The new facility aims to provide specialized mental healthcare locally, alleviating the financial and logistical burdens on residents. The public health laboratory will enhance the state's capacity to conduct specialized tests and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, reducing delays in test results that previously required samples to be sent to other states.

The laboratory will be equipped with modern diagnostic technology, including PCR machines, and developed in line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention standards.