Rivers State, located in the South-South region of Nigeria, is one of the most industrialized and urbanized states in the country. As the hub of oil and gas activities in Nigeria, the state attracts both local and international residents, all of whom rely heavily on the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Whether you reside in the capital city of Port Harcourt or in the rural communities of the state, access to healthcare is crucial. Fortunately, Rivers State is home to a diverse mix of public hospitals, private clinics, specialist facilities, and primary healthcare centers. These facilities provide a wide range of medical services, from emergency care and maternal health to diagnostics and surgeries.
In this article, we present a detailed list of notable hospitals, clinics, and health centers across Rivers State, along with their addresses and the services they provide.
1. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)
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Location: East-West Road, Alakahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
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Type: Federal Tertiary Institution
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Services: Surgery, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oncology, Dialysis, Emergency care.
UPTH is the leading tertiary hospital in Rivers State. It also serves as a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Port Harcourt. The facility is known for its wide range of specialized medical services, and it accommodates both inpatients and outpatients from Rivers and neighboring states.
2. Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH)
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Location: Harley Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt
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Type: State-Owned Teaching Hospital
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Services: Emergency care, Surgery, Laboratory diagnostics, Maternity care, Pediatrics, Cardiology, ENT.
Formerly known as Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, RSUTH has been upgraded to a teaching hospital in partnership with Rivers State University. It is a well-equipped facility and among the best in Port Harcourt.
3. Kelsey Harrison Hospital
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Location: 11 Emenike Street, Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt
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Type: State Specialist Hospital
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Services: Maternal health, Emergency care, Surgery, Pediatrics.
Kelsey Harrison Hospital is a maternity-focused facility providing maternal and child healthcare services. It also offers general surgery, ultrasound, and emergency response services.
4. Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital
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Location: Garrison Junction, Aba Road, Port Harcourt
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Type: Specialist Hospital
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Services: Dental surgery, Oral health, Maxillofacial services.
This facility is the first of its kind in the South-South region and one of the most advanced dental hospitals in Nigeria. It offers full dental care services, including dental surgery and jaw reconstruction.
5. Private Hospitals in Port Harcourt and Environs
The private health sector in Rivers State is vibrant, offering high-quality healthcare services, shorter waiting times, and access to specialist care. Some of the top private hospitals and clinics include:
a. Meridian Hospital
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Location: 21 Igbokwe Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt
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Services: Internal medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Imaging, Surgery, Laboratory services.
b. Pamo Clinics and Hospital
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Location: 300 Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, Rumuokoro, Port Harcourt
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Services: General medicine, Surgery, Family medicine, Maternity care.
c. Rehoboth Specialist Hospital
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Location: D-Line, Port Harcourt
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Services: Orthopedics, Cardiology, General Surgery, Imaging.
d. Hopeville Eye Specialist Hospital
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Location: Woji Estate Road, Port Harcourt
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Services: Eye examinations, Cataract surgery, Glaucoma treatment.
e. Princess Medical Centre
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Location: 7 National Supply Road, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt
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Services: General outpatient care, Family planning, Minor surgery.
These private hospitals have become the first choice for many middle-income and high-income earners due to their efficiency, cleanliness, and quick response time.
6. Community Health Centers and Primary Healthcare Facilities
In addition to large hospitals and private clinics, Rivers State also operates several primary health care (PHC) centers to serve the population, especially in semi-urban and rural areas. These centers are vital for providing preventive and routine healthcare services such as immunizations, antenatal care, malaria treatment, and minor injuries.
a. Obio Cottage Hospital
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Location: Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt
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Services: Maternal and child health, Family planning, Malaria treatment.
Obio Cottage Hospital is a public-private partnership facility supported by Shell. It is one of the best-performing PHCs in the state, offering antenatal services and routine medical care.
b. Elekahia Primary Health Centre
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Location: Elekahia, Port Harcourt
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Services: Immunization, Family planning, HIV testing, Minor treatment.
c. Ulakwo Model Primary Health Centre
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Location: Etche Local Government Area
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Services: Outpatient care, Child immunization, Health education.
d. Rumuokoro Health Centre
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Location: Rumuokoro, Obio-Akpor LGA
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Services: Family health, Primary care, Referrals to secondary facilities.
7. Faith-Based Hospitals
Faith-based hospitals have also played a significant role in the health sector in Rivers State. Many offer affordable and compassionate healthcare services and are well-regarded for their ethical standards and patient care.
a. St. Patrick’s Hospital
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Location: Aba Road, Port Harcourt
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Services: Internal medicine, Pediatrics, General surgery.
b. Madonna Catholic Hospital
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Location: Eleme LGA
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Services: Maternity, Minor surgeries, Medical outreach.
These hospitals are typically run by religious organizations but open to everyone regardless of faith. They often support community outreach and offer subsidized treatment for vulnerable groups.
8. Specialized Clinics and Diagnostic Centers
Specialized clinics and diagnostic centers are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Rivers State has several modern diagnostic centers providing services such as radiology, endoscopy, and laboratory analysis.
a. Crestville Diagnostic Centre
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Location: Ada George Road, Port Harcourt
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Services: CT Scan, MRI, X-ray, Blood work, Cancer screening.
b. Amni Diagnostic Centre
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Location: Stadium Road, Port Harcourt
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Services: Fetal medicine, Obstetric ultrasound, DNA testing.
These facilities are often used for referrals from general hospitals and are vital in identifying and managing health conditions early.
9. Rural and Local Government Health Coverage
Healthcare in Rivers State extends beyond Port Harcourt to local government areas like Ahoada, Bonny, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, and Andoni. Although rural areas face more challenges in infrastructure and staffing, there are PHCs and cottage hospitals strategically located across the state.
a. General Hospital, Abua
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Location: Abua/Odual LGA
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Services: Emergency care, Minor surgery, Outpatient consultation.
b. Cottage Hospital, Bodo City
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Location: Gokana LGA
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Services: Community health care, Treatment for tropical diseases.
c. General Hospital, Buguma
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Location: Asari-Toru LGA
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Services: Maternal and child health, Immunization, Malaria care.
With support from state government and non-governmental organizations, these rural facilities continue to play a critical role in saving lives in hard-to-reach communities.
Conclusion
Rivers State has one of the most diverse and expansive healthcare systems in southern Nigeria. From high-end tertiary hospitals in Port Harcourt to community-focused PHCs in the rural towns, residents have a wide range of choices for their health needs.
While challenges like underfunding, personnel shortage, and outdated infrastructure persist in some government facilities, private hospitals and state-supported specialist centers are helping to bridge the gap. With continued investment in healthcare delivery, training, and infrastructure, Rivers State is on a path to achieving better health outcomes for its population.
Whether you're a resident, visitor, or new to Rivers State, this guide serves as a comprehensive reference for finding hospitals, clinics, and health centers across the state.
