Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of Esan North-East Local Government Area in Edo State have raised urgent concerns over the deteriorating condition of Uromi General Hospital, a facility that has served more than 10,000 people across 26 communities for decades. Community leaders and healthcare advocates warn that the hospital, once a reliable centre for lifesaving care, is now on the brink of collapse.
Reports from locals indicate that large sections of the hospital are falling into disrepair, with some areas reportedly close to structural failure. Wards lack sufficient hospital beds and mattresses, and key medical equipment is either missing, outdated, or nonfunctional. Patients reliant on the facility are often forced to travel long distances to access even basic healthcare services, placing vulnerable populations—including pregnant women, children, and the elderly—at significant risk.
The crisis at Uromi General Hospital is not new. Community members note that during the tenure of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, renovation and maintenance of the facility were not prioritized. Residents say that the current administration under Governor Monday Okpebholo has yet to implement urgent measures to rehabilitate the hospital, leaving the community frustrated and concerned about the long-term viability of the facility.
The situation has also sparked debate over government spending priorities. While Uromi and nearby Ekpoma General Hospital struggle to provide basic care, billions of naira are reportedly being allocated to a new specialist hospital in Udomi village. Residents argue that strengthening and restoring existing hospitals would immediately benefit thousands, rather than diverting funds to a new facility in a less populated area.
Health experts stress that the presence of the federal Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in the region highlights the need to complement, not replace, existing healthcare infrastructure. Community hospitals like Uromi General Hospital remain critical for providing frontline care, especially in rural areas where access to larger teaching hospitals is limited by distance, cost, and transportation challenges.
Local advocates are calling for immediate government intervention to rehabilitate the hospital, upgrade facilities, replace broken equipment, and ensure essential services are available to residents. A community representative stated, “Healthcare cannot wait. The people of Uromi and surrounding communities deserve a functional hospital now. Action must be taken before this vital institution is completely lost.”
The plight of Uromi General Hospital reflects broader challenges in Nigeria’s public healthcare system, where aging infrastructure, insufficient funding, and misplaced priorities have left many communities underserved. Residents of Esanland hope that urgent attention from Governor Monday Okpebholo can reverse years of neglect and restore access to basic healthcare for thousands of people who depend on the facility.
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