Nigerians from different parts the country on Friday poured encomia on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as they gathered at the premises of the former Federal Medical Centre, Owerri to formally unveil the place with its new status as Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri.
Those who spoke – the now Chief Medical Director of Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri ( FUTO), Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna N. Oti, the Chairman Governing Board of FUTO, Sen. Jack Tilley- Gyado,
The Chairman of the Board of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Senator(Dr) IsHaq Salman, the Minister of State, Health, Barr. Joseph Nkama-Ekumankama, among others, lauded the good relationship between President Buhari and Governor Uzodimma that made the unveiling possible.
Even Governor Uzodimma in his remarks did not hide his feelings regarding the unusual attention President Buhari gave to him while he was seeking to have the former FMC upgraded to a Teaching Hospital that will serve the needs of FUTO medical school and the medical and other people of Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma said: “Today’s event which is the formal inauguration of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, is a product of our collaboration with the federal government. It was planted and nurtured by our administration as a sign of our commitment to offer quality healthcare to Imo people. Before now, our people have had to travel long distances to enjoy some of these services with the attendant difficulties with distant travel and dislocation from one’s comfort zone.
“It is, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Health, and his colleague the Minister of State for Health, who is also a brother and other officials who have made this dream a reality.
“In addition to complementing our efforts at Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, this institution offers Imo people the much needed employment opportunities with commensurate impact on the economy of the state.
“This institution, therefore, brings with it lots of opportunities to Imo residents, aside the traditional benefits of first class healthcare which we hope will complement the policies of the Imo State government. In addition to supporting the College of Medicine of FUTO, this establishment is also empowered by law to run a number of other training schools most of which provide the much needed skilled manpower for health institutions within the State and beyond.
These include the School of Nursing, School of Anaesthetic Technology, School of Dental Technology, etc. These schools offer mostly OND equivalent certification and provide career pathways for our young people. By the affiliation with FUTO, the University can now introduce more graduate courses in health disciplines such as the BNSC degree in nursing.
“We do know that while it remained a Federal Medical Centre, the hospital’s performance was top notch in all areas of its tripartite mandate. Its reputation was comparable to that of other tertiary hospitals of its kind. In fact, it could easily have been ranked about the biggest FMC in the country both in stature and scope of services offered.
“However, its upgrade to a teaching hospital offers a bigger platform for collaborations and the ability to attract and retain the highest level of skilled manpower in health. This is easily because most of the specialists, especially those who have attained the cadre of Medical Consultants, often desire the academic fulfilment which can only be gained from a teaching hospital such as this.
“Since its inception about a century ago, this institution has undergone some metamorphosis. Over this period, it has been quite pivotal in the delivery of good quality healthcare to residents of Imo State and neighbouring States. I must, therefore, commend the present management of the hospital under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Kingsley Achigbu and the Board of Management for restoring peace and order to this institution. They also deserve commendation for their achievements in the area of human capital development and for attracting vital infrastructure to the institution.
“As a Government, we have enjoyed a cordial and collaborative relationship with the Federal Teaching Hospital even while it was a Federal Medical Centre. A good example is the collaboration in the fight against the COVID-19 scourge which confronted the state soon after my assumption of office. To the glory of God, this collaboration was instrumental to the relatively excellent showing by our state in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.