The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has commended the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Stella Oduah who attracted the conversion of Onitsha General Hospital to Federal Medical Centre.
The group said that Oduah, a progenitor and sponsor of a bill (SB814) seeking among other things the upgrading of General Hospital Onitsha to Federal Medical Center, Onitsha, to assuage the pains, sufferings and predicament of people of the senatorial zone.
The Chairman of Anambra State branch of CLO Mr. Vincent Ezekwueme in a statement titled “wealth is health, healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” commend the patriotism, doggedness and humanitarian disposition of Senator Oduah for harkening to the needs of citizens and cries of CLO few years ago over death of many citizens seeking urgent medical services from Federal Medical Center, Asaba, due to traffic jam.
The group described it as a landmark achievement and parting gift from outgoing government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It is pertinent to note that it’s benefits are enormous as it will help greatly in tackling the health challenges facing the citizens, create employments, bring accelerated infrastructural development, upgrade staff into Federal Civil Service, and most importantly give the state a sense of belonging and improve the services renders at the Centre as more qualified medical personnel will be employed to be in tandem with other medical centers in country.
“We equally thank the Senate for passing the bill on record time and the magnanimity of President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the bill into law.
“We equally solicit for huge allocations in next year budget for establishing all FMC Onitsha annexes,” Ezekweme stated.
The Minister of State for Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama represented the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire on Thursday last week at the commissioning in Onitsha amidst cheers and jubilation.
Nkama said with the upgrading of the hospital to a Federal Medical Centre, the Federal Government would soon employ more doctors and other staff.
Nkama while commending Governor Soludo’s exploits in the health sector, said henceforth the Federal Government would post fresh doctors and other medical personnel to the hospitals for internship and housemanship training.
He charged the staff of the general hospital to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that to whom much is given is also expected.
The Anambra State government, through the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, thanked President Buhari for the honour done to the people of the South East states and Anambra in particular, describing the upgrade as a parting gift to Ndigbo.
The Obi of Onitsha represented by Chief Emengo expressed his profound gratitude to the government of President Buhari for the completion of the 2nd Niger Bridge project and now the upgrading of the Onitsha General hospital to a Federal Government health institution.
Credit: Daily Sun