The calls by Imo Indigenes to the Federal Government to upgrade the
Federal Medical Center, Owerri to a Teaching Hospital have received a
boost by the Honorable Minister of State, Health, Dr Senator Adeleke
Mamora.
The Health Minister of State has advised the Management of the Medical
Center to initiate the process which he sees as a legitimate one to
upgrade the Facility to a Teaching Hospital. He made the remarks
during his inauguration of some of completed facilities by the
Management, led by Dr Kingsley Achigbu. The Minister of State
acknowledged that the Center was one of the largest and busiest in the
country and was pleased that it had transformed itself into a first
class health institution.
“The request to upgrade it to a Teaching Hospital is overdue,” he
said, charging the Management and the State Government to push it
through.
Dr. Mamora commended the Center for priding itself with Medical and
Health experts who can compete effectively with their counterparts
anywhere in the world. He described the commissioned facilities as an
evidence of prudent management of scarce resources and harmonious
working relationship.
The Board Chairman, Dr Senator Salman Adebayo, in his remarks, opined
that the feats recorded by the Medical Director are the result of good
working relationship between him and his team.
Earlier, the Medical Director, Dr Kingsley Achigbu, appealed to the
Minister to upgrade the Center to a Teaching Hospital as it had
improved in standard, scope and service delivery. “For the FMC, we
deserve an upgrade to a Teaching Hospital. Recently, this has been
made more desirable with the NUC approval of the Federal University of
Technology, Owerri, Medical School,” he pointed out.
Dr Achigbu explained that the Medical Center offers primary, secondary
and tertiary care which renders services to about six states with over
7 million population. He also said that through internal sourcing,
collaborative efforts and capital provisions, the management has been
able to replace stolen, vandalised or damaged equipment. On COVID-19
management, the Center’s response was outstanding and instrumental to
the state recording one of the lowest casualty figures in the country,
he said.
The FMC, Owerri land Owners led by the Traditional Ruler of
Umuororonjo Autonomous Community, Eze Dr. Clinton Uboegbulam,
described the Medical Director as an asset to the hospital. To show
their appreciation, they donated a large expanse of land to the
Center, preparatory to it being a Teaching Hospital.
Facilities inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of State, Health,
include: Dialysis Center, MRI, Research Center, Isolation Complex, 33
KVA Project Neurosurgical Ward and an Outreach Center at Njaba L.G.A
of the State, amongst others.

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