The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ovwian, Udu, Delta State, reached a historic milestone on Friday, June 20, 2026, as the Medical Director, Prof. Emmanuel A. Okoro, formally commissioned the hospital's new 64-slice Siemens SOMATOM CT scanner at a ceremony attended by distinguished guests from the Federal Ministry of Health, Delta State government officials, and senior medical staff.

"This acquisition is not merely an equipment purchase — it is a declaration that the people of Delta State deserve world-class healthcare right here at home, without having to travel to Lagos or Abuja." — Prof. Emmanuel A. Okoro, Medical Director, FMC Ovwian

What the CT Scanner Means for Patients

Prior to this commissioning, many complex diagnostic cases requiring CT imaging were referred to private facilities in Warri, Asaba, or even Port Harcourt — resulting in delayed diagnoses, additional costs for patients, and sometimes deteriorating outcomes. The new in-house CT scanner changes this reality entirely.

The 64-slice system provides high-resolution cross-sectional images of virtually every organ and tissue system in the body. It is particularly valuable for:

• Neurological emergencies — rapid detection of strokes, brain bleeds, and head trauma
• Abdominal and pelvic pathology — precise imaging of the liver, kidneys, GI tract, and reproductive organs
• Cardiac and vascular assessment — CT angiography to evaluate blood vessels and the heart
• Oncology staging — determining the extent and spread of cancer before treatment
• Pulmonary disease — detailed evaluation of lung conditions including pneumonia, embolism, and TB complications

Investment and Funding

The equipment was procured under a ₦480 million capital budget allocation from the Federal Ministry of Health, as part of the ongoing Federal Government commitment to upgrading tertiary health institutions across the country. FMC Ovwian was among five FMCs nationally selected for CT infrastructure upgrades in the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Supporting Infrastructure Upgrades

Alongside the scanner, the Radiology Department received a comprehensive upgrade including:

• A dedicated lead-lined CT scan suite with patient preparation area
• A Radiology Information System (RIS) integrated with the hospital's EMR platform
• A PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) for digital image storage and remote review
• Training for three radiographers and two consultant radiologists on the new system

Staff Training and Readiness

In preparation for the commissioning, two consultant radiologists and three senior radiographers from FMC Ovwian completed a 10-day intensive training programme at Siemens Healthineers' West African training facility in Lagos. The team returned certified to operate, calibrate, and perform quality control on the new system.

The CT suite is now fully operational, with scans available Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and on-call coverage for emergencies on a 24-hour basis. Referral letters from any department within FMC Ovwian will be accepted, and external referrals from registered hospitals are also welcome.

Patient Access

Appointments for elective CT scans can be booked through the Radiology Department reception or through the hospital's appointment booking system. Emergency CT imaging will continue to be prioritised for A&E and ICU patients. The hospital has committed to keeping scan fees affordable, in line with NHIS fee schedules.

"Our radiography team is fully trained, the infrastructure is solid, and we are ready to serve. Patients from Udu, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele — indeed the entire Delta State — now have access to this technology right here." — Dr. Adaeze Nwosu, Head of Radiology, FMC Ovwian

The commissioning of the CT scanner is one of several infrastructure projects underway at FMC Ovwian as part of the hospital's five-year strategic development plan. Upcoming projects include the expansion of the Accident & Emergency wing and the procurement of a digital mammography system for the Oncology unit.