Causes have been adduced for why the Federal Authorities is but to transform the oldest Federal Medical Centre in Nigeria, the FMC, Umuahia to a educating hospital.
The Chief Medical Director of the FMC Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, who the employees have dubbed ‘Mr. Mission’ disclosed that one of many purpose is the absence of a standard federal college that provides medical sciences programs within the state.
Onyebuchi said this whereas talking after a two-day programme of Thanksgiving Day and a guided tour of amenities for unions within the centre.
Onyebuchi lamented, “FMC Umuahia is the oldest Federal Medical Centre in Nigeria and it’s a disgrace that we aren’t a educating hospital but.”
He pleaded, “We’re interesting to our political leaders in Abia State to return in unison and go combat for the institution of a standard college that can be providing Medication as a subject of research. I can guarantee you, that after they begin the School of Medication wherever round right here in Abia State, FMC Umuahia will grow to be a educating hospital, and that’s the reason we’re placing up this infrastructure in anticipation that this place will quickly grow to be a educating hospital.”
Although the state has universities that provide medical sciences, they don’t seem to be a prerequisite for the centre to grow to be a educating hospital as they’re non-public or state-owned universities.
Onyebuchi took the union leaders on a guided tour of the brand new infrastructure he constructed on the centre, which incorporates the Accident and Emergency ward, the Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory Advanced, the New Orthopedic ward, the New Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Scheme constructing, Okpara Ward B (Paediatric) improve, Psychiatry Ward, Neurosurgical (40-bed) advanced, an ultra-modern (10-suites) Theater Advanced and Outborn Neonatal Advanced.
Others embody the Home Officers Quarters Advanced, the 20-room Visitor Home, and the resurfacing of roads spherical about all the hospital, amongst others.
The FMC CMD averred all these and extra to be realized between January and March 2025, had been to dwell as much as expectations almost about the efficiency bond he signed with the Federal Ministry of Well being to fulfill up with the set goal.
He described funding to tertiary hospitals within the nation as having tremendously improved, including, “Nonetheless, all of the funds I want to fulfill with my targets haven’t been acquired, however what’s vital is that the funds you’ve been given, how have you ever been capable of handle them?”
The FMC Umuahia CMD disclosed that ‘Japa’ syndrome has been a significant problem to FMCs within the nation, expressing his happiness that the Federal Authorities has made alternative of those that left, simple.
Earlier in Thanksgiving Day, Prof. Onyebuchi assured his employees that the “administration below my watch will be certain that FMC Umuahia is likely one of the finest on the earth. I’m doing my finest in order that historical past will care for me,” disclosing that he has been capable of appeal to elevated budgetary allocation for the centre, promoted employees as and when due, paid all promotion arrears, in addition to inspired employees relationship with all and declared employees welfare as his precedence.
He added, “We are going to proceed to prioritize your welfare.”
In his admonition, the Methodist Church Nigeria Bishop of Umuahia, His Grace, Bishop Chibuzor Raphael Opoko, urged the employees of the FMC, Umuahia to respect their seniors in age and in work, urging them to keep away from backbiting. He suggested everybody desirous of any place within the centre to attend for his flip, including, “Individuals don’t wish to work, however are jealous of those that work.”
Union leaders on the guided tour had been from the Medical and Well being Employees Union, the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Union of Allied Well being Professionals, amongst others.