When the executive council was dissolved and political permutations began to dominate conversations across Rivers State, one sector stood out in the public debate, Health.
In a state where access to quality healthcare remains both a social necessity and political responsibility, performance has become the most persuasive argument. And in those conversations, the name of Adaeze Chidinma Oreh consistently resurfaces.
Her tenure as Commissioner for Health was marked not by ceremonial appearances but by visible system reforms that ordinary residents could measure in improved service delivery.
From the outset, she placed primary healthcare at the centre of the state’s health strategy, reinforcing the idea that sustainable reform begins at the grassroots.
Primary Health Centres across several local government areas witnessed structural upgrades, improved staffing coordination, and better supply chain management for essential medicines.
Under her supervision, Rivers State deepened participation in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, ensuring that federal health allocations translated into tangible services at community level.
Health insurance enrolment expanded significantly during her time in office, broadening access to affordable care for civil servants, informal sector workers, and vulnerable populations.
Public opinion often cites this expansion as one of the most impactful interventions of her administration.
HIV service delivery also experienced notable scaling. More facilities were equipped to provide testing and treatment services, reducing travel burdens for patients and strengthening continuity of care.
Her administration strengthened disease surveillance mechanisms, an important safeguard in a post-pandemic era where preparedness is as critical as response.
Beyond expansion of services, she demonstrated regulatory firmness. Illegal and unlicensed medical facilities were shut down, sending a strong message that patient safety would not be compromised.
This crackdown on quackery earned her both commendation and resistance, but public health advocates widely supported the stance as long overdue.
Emergency medical response systems received renewed attention. Ambulance coordination and referral systems were reviewed and strengthened, improving response time in critical cases.
Maternal and child health programmes gained renewed emphasis. Immunisation campaigns were intensified, and advocacy for respectful maternal care became more pronounced within state facilities.
Health workers frequently described her leadership style as consultative. Stakeholder meetings were not mere formalities; they were platforms for problem-solving and accountability.
She engaged development partners strategically, aligning donor support with state priorities rather than allowing fragmented programme implementation.
International partnerships brought in technical assistance, equipment upgrades, and training opportunities for healthcare personnel.
Transparency also became a visible feature of her administration. When misinformation circulated — particularly around admissions into health training institutions — she addressed the public directly, clarifying facts and protecting citizens from fraud.
Within professional circles, she was regarded as technically sound, able to interpret data and translate policy into operational strategy.
Her public briefings were often data-driven, reflecting measurable indicators rather than abstract promises.
The Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge saw Rivers State earn recognition during her tenure, reinforcing claims of structured reform.
Community outreach was not neglected. Rural communities reported increased supervision visits and closer monitoring of local health facilities.
Civil society organisations in Rivers State frequently acknowledged improved responsiveness from the Ministry of Health during her administration.
She maintained visible engagement with frontline workers, visiting facilities and interacting directly with staff and patients.
Her approach to governance balanced policy reform with human engagement — a combination many observers believe strengthened trust in the health system.
Under her watch, health insurance awareness campaigns improved public understanding of pre-paid healthcare models.
She supported integration of technology into health administration, enhancing data reporting and accountability systems.
Persons living with HIV/AIDS, women in rural communities, and economically disadvantaged families became central to programme targeting.
In public discourse, she was often described as performance-driven rather than politically flamboyant.
Awards and recognitions followed, but more importantly, measurable system improvements formed the basis of those honours.
Healthcare professionals credited her with restoring a sense of direction to policy implementation.
Her tenure reflected continuity in reform rather than abrupt, cosmetic changes.
Critics of political reshuffles argue that the health sector, more than many others, benefits from sustained leadership to consolidate gains.
Many residents believe that reform in healthcare requires consistency, institutional memory, and steady administrative hands.
As conversations around reappointments intensify, health stakeholders continue to emphasise competence over political balancing.
In markets, professional associations, and community meetings, her name surfaces in discussions about measurable impact.
The argument is less about sentiment and more about outcomes — expanded insurance coverage, improved primary healthcare structures, firmer regulation, and strengthened partnerships.
Rivers State’s health sector remains a work in progress, but public opinion suggests that her administration laid foundations that require continuity rather than disruption.
In a political climate where appointments are often influenced by calculations beyond performance, her tenure stands as a case study in technocratic leadership.
If governance is ultimately about service delivery, then health remains one of its clearest tests.
And if performance, regulatory courage, grassroots impact, insurance expansion, strengthened disease control systems, and improved public trust are the criteria,
then let Adaeze Chidinma Oreh be the person.
Onunwor, is a Practicing lawyer and Chief Corespondent With The Tide Newspaper
By King Onunwor
