The Gbaramatu Healthcare Practitioners Association (GHPA) has disclosed plans by the body to engage stakeholders and leaders across various sectors in Gbaramatu Kingdom to bring modern healthcare services to the ancient kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

This was made known by the GHPA President, Miss Popo Christabell Peres, during a meeting of the Association at the Egbema Gbaramatu Foundation in Effurun on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Members of the Association in attendance are Mrs. Ella Ebiere Obaisi nee Tortor (Vice President), Miss Layefa Tonwei (Asst. PRO), Miss Odey Preye, Miss Rejoice Perede Meinfade, and Tamara Ebijor Precious Abebe.

Popo called on members to participate actively in the Association’s activities and develop practical ways to improve healthcare in their communities in Gbaramatu, which she described as an important Ijaw kingdom in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria.

Members also agreed to conduct medical tours and community outreach visits to healthcare centres in the near future, with the visits expected to provide firsthand information about healthcare centres’ operations and to help the Association make recommendations to relevant authorities on areas requiring support and improvement.

Members during the meeting also discussed efforts to address major health challenges, including child and maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, high blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, tuberculosis and drug-related cases.

Members however stressed that these goals would require partnerships, collaboration and the promotion of healthy personal practices.

In other deliberations, Miss Tonwei urged residents to patronise functioning healthcare facilities within the kingdom, particularly for basic services such as laboratory tests, instead of travelling long distances and risking delays in receiving care. 

The Association’s Vice President, Mrs. Obaisi, called for sons and daughters of Gbaramatu origin to be considered for employment in government and private healthcare facilities, which will help address staff workload, language barriers and the growing demand for health services in the coastal kingdom.

Popo, a community and environmental health practitioner, commended healthcare facilities currently operating in the area and encouraged them to continue supporting residents amid the region’s healthcare challenges.

She also thanked His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaraun II (JP), Aketekpe, Agadagba, Pere of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, for approving the Association’s earlier proposal to establish a nursing college in Benikrukru Town.

The GHPA President urged the kingdom to also consider other development proposals, including a planned medical practitioners’ estate in Oporoza Community consisting of a modern diagnostic centre and a drug-resolving house. 

Although these were described as long-term projects, Popp said they could help strengthen healthcare services and reduce difficulties in the supply of medical services across the region.

View photos here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EpkmmQSxD/