Communities in Nembe LGA struggle without the once-functional Okoroba Cottage Hospital
The Cottage Hospital in Okoroba, a riverine community in Bayelsa State, has closed its doors after serving patients for 27 years. Once hailed as one of the most functional health facilities in the area, the hospital is now abandoned with overgrown weeds and crumbling buildings.
Residents recall the days when mothers brought children for immunization, fishermen were treated for injuries on the creeks, and pregnant women no longer had to travel dangerous waterways. Over time, however, staff numbers dwindled, equipment disappeared, and the management shifted from Shell Petroleum Development Company to the Bayelsa State Hospitals Management Board.
The situation in Okoroba has severe consequences. Women are forced to travel long distances by boat before reaching functional medical facilities, putting many lives at risk. Community leaders appeal for intervention from the Bayelsa State Government and medical agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDLC).