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  • FMC Ikole gets MDCN’s approval for housemanship training

    FMC Ikole gets MDCN’s approval for housemanship training

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ikole-Ekiti has secured full accreditation from Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for housemanship training. 

    The approval followed a thorough and detailed assessment of the hospital’s facilities, equipment, training structures, and patients load by a seven-member MDCN delegation led by the  Deputy Registrar, Dr. Nnaemeka Nwakanma.

    Speaking after the visit, Dr. Nwakanma said that the council was satisfied with FMC Ikole’s training capacity, facilities, structured programmes, supervision systems as well as conducive learning atmosphere.  

    He described FMC Ikole as a model of excellence, commending its state-of-the-art infrastructures and the impressive number of specialists it has attracted despite being recently upgrade from a secondary to a tertiary institution. 

    He praised the Medical Director, Prof Johnson Dare Ogunlusi, and the management team for demonstrating strong leadership and unity of purpose, noting that the hospital has quickly become a magnet for super-specialists within and beyond Ekiti State.

    He also applauded the hospital’s high standard of hygiene, saying the level of cleanliness observed is uncommon in many hospitals of similar status.

    Nwakanma urged consultants to uphold global best practices and ensure house officers receive proper mentorship in an environment free of toxic work cultures that cause burnout.

    He added, “There are not many hospitals at this level of operation that maintain the level of cleanliness I have seen at FMC Ikole-Ekiti. This shows that the Hospital has a culture of maintaining a clean and serene environment.

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    “But we have seen that you have made good effort and it didn’t look like it’s something you did today.  It obvious it looks like this all the time and it’s something that we commend quite much. 

    “So, my team has just told me to inform you that the Federal Medical Center Ikole-Ekiti has now been accredited as a Housemanship Training Center”.

    In his response, the Medical Director, Prof. Ogunlusi, applauded the MDCN for the recognition, attributing the hospital’s progress to the dedication of staff and prudent use of internally generated revenue. 

    The Medical Director  assured that with the 2025 budget, more facilities would be added to strengthen the hospital’s capacity,  reaffirming the commitment of the hospital to patient-centred service delivery, staff welfare and maintenance of a clean environment. 

    He promised that the hospital would continue to uphold the highest standards of medical practice as it begins its new role in training young doctors.

  • Monarch, Council boss hail Waive after update on approved FMC

    Monarch, Council boss hail Waive after update on approved FMC

    The member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency, Hon. Ejiroghene Waive, has reaffirmed that efforts to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Delta State—recently approved by President Bola Tinubu—are progressing swiftly.

    Waive made this known during a visit to the His Royal Majesty, Barrister Bethel Delekpe, Ohworhu 1, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, at his palace in Aladja, Udu local government area, Delta State where he provided updates on the project’s status. 

    He described the establishment of the medical centre as a legacy initiative aimed at improving healthcare access for his constituents and Delta State residents at large.

    Accompanied by a distinguished entourage—including Udu Local Government Chairman, Chief Vincent Oyibode—Hon. Waive emphasised the significance of the recently passed bill establishing the Federal Medical Center. 

    He highlighted the facility’s potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, ensuring quality medical services for the people of Delta State.

    While addressing the Udu Monarch, Hon. Waive expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler and the people of his constituency for their unwavering support and trust in his leadership. He reiterated his commitment to bringing the dividends of democracy to the region, urging continued cooperation to ensure the project’s successful execution.

    Speaking to newsmen outside the palace, Hon. Waive said: “By the grace of God, this January, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, signed into law my bill establishing the Federal Medical Center in Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area. This is a great achievement that will stand the test of time and benefit future generations. 

    “I felt it was important that His Royal Majesty hear this directly from me rather than through the press. That is why we are here at the palace today to personally convey the news. His Royal Majesty has received me joyfully, offered prayers for me, and expressed his happiness over this remarkable development.

    “This is a significant milestone for humanity. In most states across the country, there is only one tertiary healthcare institution, except for Lagos and Edo, which have more than one. With this development, Delta has now joined that league. We already have one federal medical institution in Asaba, and now, Ovwian will host another. This facility will serve not only Delta Central but also Delta South, providing top-tier healthcare services. We are immensely grateful to Mr. President for this initiative. As the project moves into the execution phase, we will ensure that the infrastructure and service delivery meet world-class standards.”

    He added: “I am thrilled to have contributed to something so impactful for my people—the very people who entrusted me with this mandate. This achievement is a privilege, and I am deeply grateful to God for allowing me to leave a lasting legacy that will enhance the well-being of our people. Now, as a community, we must come together, remain steadfast, and prepare for the arrival of federal officials who will oversee the next steps. This is truly a moment of joy and a great day for Delta State.

    In his response, His Royal Majesty, Barrister Bethel Delekpe, Ohworhu 1, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, commended Hon. Waive for his dedication and commitment to public service, acknowledging him as a visionary lawmaker who has delivered tangible results for his people.

    Also speaking, Chief Vincent Oyibode and Mr Joseph Okuku, President-General of the Ovwian Community, praised Hon. Waive’s foresight in securing a Federal Medical Center that would benefit not just his immediate constituency but Delta State as a whole. They pledged their full support to ensure seamless execution and completion of the project.

    Oyibode further noted that having a Federal Medical Center in Udu would open new doors for economic growth and create more opportunities for residents.

    According to him: “I want to thank God for this noble opportunity as Udu is now the host of a Federal Medical Center—something we have long yearned for. Udu has always been a blessed local government, but over the years, many things have gone wrong. 

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    “The DSC is a federal government establishment, yet we have faced setbacks. Today, however, our brother, who represents us in the Federal House of Representatives, has delivered on the mandate given to him. He has carried out his duties with humility, and we are truly grateful for this institution he has brought to us.

    “As the Chief Security Officer of this local government, I want to emphasize that we have zero tolerance for trouble. Udu has remained a peaceful place, and no one will disrupt that peace. 

    “The moment the bill was signed, I was the first person he called, and I immediately instructed the community president to secure land without delay. We have already identified a location where operations can begin while construction is ongoing.

    “We will not wait for the contractors before taking action. As a show of our commitment, we will clear the land and put up a signboard to mark the site. Security will be our responsibility, and I assure everyone that there will be no threats or disruptions. Udu remains peaceful, and we will ensure that this project is executed without any obstacle.”

  • FMC inaugurates IVF centre

    FMC inaugurates IVF centre

    Plans are underway by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute Meta, Lagos State, to crash the price of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) procedure in the country, as it inaugurated its clinical complex, which comprises IVF Centre, Ophthalmology Centre, modern wards and consulting clinic rooms, as well as administrative offices, among others.

    The Medical Director, Dr. Adedamola Dada, who spoke at the event, said: “IVF centre, which is part of the new clinical building, will help more Nigerians access IVF, which is one of the widely known Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilise an egg, and help the fertilised egg implant in the uterus.

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    “We all know about IVF and how expensive it is. As a public institution with a very large volume of patients, who actually need the service, we have been able to do our calculations. We are confident that we will crash the cost of IVF in Nigeria once we start working.”

     The new building, according Dada, has an ophthalmology centre and 50-bed male and female wards to increase the number of beds at the hospital and a cardiology laboratory.

     Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Tunji Alausa reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving health care delivery. He said President Bola Tinubu was working to ensure that health care delivery to Nigerians remains one of the priorities of his administration.

  • Patient influx overwhelms Abuja FMC

    Patient influx overwhelms Abuja FMC

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Jabi, Abuja, is seeking the expansion of its infrastructure due to the surge in patients, revealing the inadequacy of its current building infrastructure and facilities.

    In 2020, the monthly outpatient count at the hospital ranged from 5000 to 6000, in contrast to the current figure of 20,000 outpatients per month the Chief Medical Director(CMD/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hospital, Prof. Saad Ahmed has said.

    The surge in outpatient numbers, according to the CMD, is exerting pressure on both facilities and the workforce.

    Ahmed made the plea during a visit to the hospital premises by the Senate Committee on Health, led by its Chairman, Sen. Banigo Ipalibo, as part of the Committee’s oversight visit.

    Highlighting the importance of optimal service delivery at the FMC, Ahmed explained that allocating additional land, especially the area adjacent to the hospital, would facilitate the construction of new departments and expand the hospital’s capacity for service delivery.

    He pointed out the presence of only one chemotherapy suite for cancer treatment, emphasizing the necessity for a bunker-like structure to install linear accelerators for handling cancer cases, which the hospital currently lacks.

    Acknowledging the capital-intensive nature of equipment like the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, Ahmed informed the lawmakers that the allocated budget for the hospital might not cover its purchase. However, he highlighted ongoing advocacy efforts to secure additional funding for acquiring such equipment.

    Expressing concern over the potential hindrance to optimal service delivery resulting from such a shortage, the CMD also appealed for an increase in the budgetary allocation for the medical center.

    He welcomed the lawmakers’ oversight visit, expressing appreciation for the opportunity it provided to address the challenges faced by the institution, saying, “The Senate Committee on Health’s oversight visit will enable them to see what we do and also see what challenges we are facing so that they can interface and solve some of those issues.

    “I will say for the surgeries that we have the equipment to do them. The only thing is we need to expand in order to give more services.

    “With regards to manpower issues, it is a global challenge but the Federal Minister of Health, the National Assembly, and also the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation are trying to see how this can be made seamless so that even if others go, we will be able to replace it in no time.

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    “Equally on the area of increasing the workforce, the Federal Minister of Health is focusing on training institutions to see how they can increase their capacity based on the specialists that we have on the ground and the equipment that can accommodate that.

    However, he informed the Committee that the hospital is not falling behind in Residency training.

    In seeking the hospital’s audit report, the Committee expressed concerns about the insufficient equipment, specifically highlighting the presence of only one MRI machine, which could impact service performance.

    Additionally, the Committee urged the hospital to reconsider the remuneration of its resident doctors, noting that their payment structure, not managed by the hospital, might affect the level of service delivery they provide.

  • Ogun, FMC pay N200m compensation to landowners

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, and Ogun State government have paid over N200 million compensation to communities whose lands were acquired for the University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Odeda Local Government Area.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands, Mrs. Bimbo Oluyinka, presenting cheques to beneficiaries at the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, explained that one of the cardinal points of this administration was to provide efficient healthcare to residents.

    According to her, “without well-being, wealth is nothing; resources are nothing, which is the reason for this laudable programme. Today’s gesture from the government is beyond financial compensation, it is a compensation that would be forever which your children will benefit from  and the creation of the University would provide employment”, She said.

    FMC’s Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Adewale Musa-Olomu hailed the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and Governor Ibikunle Amosun for their support in making the compensation a reality.

    “The governor has done so much for FMC and presently connecting the hospital community to the power grid, for a 24 hour power supply.  To crown it all, Governor Amosun apportioned lands worth N5.2 billion to the hospital, free of charge for the project.  This will be the first time a Medical Centre will be establishing a full-fledge University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in the country,” he said.

    The CMD also thanked the host communities for their understanding and cooperation, promising that the university would consider them first in employment.

    Speaking for the beneficiaries, Chief Olukayode Ganiyu, the Baale of Asalu Kemta village, thanked the governments and CMD for the compensation.

  • ‘We are not recruiting’, FMC Keffi warns public

    Alhaji Sadiq Sule-Iko, the Chairman, Governing Board, Federal Medical Centre ( FMC ), Keffi, Nasarawa State, has advised the general public to disregard rumours that the hospital is recruiting workers.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Jamil Nagogo, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the centre, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Keffi.

    The statement said Sule-Iko gave the advice when he led the Medical Director of the centre, Dr Yahaya Adamu, and other management team on a courtesy visit to the Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, in Keffi.

    It explained that the visit was informed by the strength of speculations gaining ground in and around Keffi to the effect that the management of the centre had recently recruited new employees.

    According to the statement, the board chairman dismissed the rumour, assuring that the governing board will investigate and get to the root of the matter.

    It said the chairman warned the general public against spreading rumours inimical to the peace and progress of the society.

    “His Royal Highness, the centre is not recruiting, I want to debunk the rumours going around that the centre is recruiting,” the statement quoted Sule-Iko saying.

    It stated that the board would not embark on such exercise without informing the traditional ruler and host community.
    “The Board Chairman assured the Emir of the board’s readiness to consult him for fatherly advice, guidance and support at all times in order to move the centre to greater height,’’ it said.

    The statement added that the chairman expressed appreciation to the Emir for his continued support and assistance to the management of the centre and called for its sustenance.

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    Responding, Yamusa III commended the team for the visit and prayed God to give them the wisdom and courage to pilot the affairs of the hospital creditably.

    The Emir, however, confirmed to the board chairman that there was indeed tension in Keffi regarding the alleged recruitment.
    The first class traditional ruler assured that as the chief custodian of his people, he would not watch tension rising in his domain without intervening and subduing it.

    The emir advised the management to always follow due process in running the affairs of the centre so as to ensure sanity in the system in the interest and progress of the centre and the country at large.

  • FMC Yola separates conjoined female twins

    The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yola, Adamawa State said yesterday it had successfully separated a conjoined female twins.

    Prof. Auwal Muhammed, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, disclosed this at a news conference in Yola yesterday.

    Muhammed said that the twins have an excellent chance of survival.

    According to the medical director, it took four hours for the medical team to separate them and the separation is the second of its kind being conducted by the hospital.

    He recalled that the first separation was carried out in 2014, which was also successful.

    Muhammed noted that Nigeria has the potential and qualified medical personnel to compete with developed countries if given necessary support.

    “We must do well and reduce the number of people going abroad to seek medical treatment,’’ Muhammed said.

  • Motorist kill University student in Umuahia

    It was a black weekend for students and Umudike in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State as a 400 level student of the department of Agricultural Economics in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State as commercial motorist reportedly killed one of their students identified as Obinna Chiaha.

    It was gathered the student was killed by the driver of a commercial bus with the inscription; “Uwak Mfon Awka Ibom Motors NIG. LTD” heading to Umuahia, the state capital.

    Sources who claimed to have witnessed the incident alleged that the driver of the commercial SUV said to be on a high speed was said to have hit Chiaha while he was trying to overtake a trailer.

    It was learnt that the incident happened close to the University gate on the Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene road caused pandemonium in the area as students took to the road which serves as a major exit and entrance into Akwa Ibom from Umuahia to protest the killing of their colleague

    The student was said to have arrested the driver of the car and handed him over to the security officials of the university.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that the students became violent when they were told that their colleague was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Center Umuahia (FMC) where he was rushed to for medical treatment.

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     The body of the student was said to have been taken to a morgue in Umuahia, along Aba road where it was deposited.

    “Many students on hearing the sad news of the demise of their colleague took to the street to protest his death.

    “The Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Otunta later addressed the students through a telephone conversation through the President of Students Union Government Mr. Ononiwu Precious.

    “He told the students to remain calm as the University will ensure that deceased student gets justice.

    “The VC also declared Saturday April 28, 2018 as BLACK SATURDAY in honor of the deceased,” a source from the school stated.

  • JOHESU Strike: Patients demand care, love

    Patients and their relations in Gusau and Benin on Friday called for care and love as the JOHESU nationwide strike entered its third day.

    Reports from   and Edo States confirmed that normal healthcare services have been disrupted by the strike.

    While some patients were seen being attended to by some doctors, relatives of others were seen evacuating their sick ones from the hospitals for alternative medicine.

    They all appealed to government to address the demands of the striking healthcare workers in order to strengthen the health sector.

    They also called on the aggrieved workers to consider their plight and save lives.
    In Gusau, the management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) has made arrangement for skeletal services to cushion the effect of the strike on patients.

    However, NAN observed that the medical and surgical wards of the hospital were empty as all patients were discharged due inadequate manpower to manage them.

    The accidents and emergency ward, paediatric unit and labour room were the busiest areas in the hospital.

    Other departments in the hospital like Pharmacy, Laboratory and Medical Records were all managed by the heads of the departments.

    A medical doctor, who preferred anonymity, told our reporter that humanity was considered very important in medical service.

    “In this regard, attention is given to emergency cases in order to avoid loss of lives during the industrial action,’’ the source said.

    A patient’s relative, Malama Hauwau Suleiman, said her child was managed well, adding “as you can see there are about five doctors in the ward right now.

    “We are not facing any problem even though there is strike in the hospital’’.

    Report also confirmed that services were also being offered at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) clinic of the hospital where patients were seen waiting to see doctors.

    Similarly, NAN also reports that there was no much increased in patients trooping to private hospitals as other state healthcare facilities in the state remained opened.

    A report from Benin said some pregnant women had accused JOHESU members of insensitivity to their plight.

    The aggrieved women told NAN that the industrial action took them unawares.

    They claimed that the industrial action was targeted at them as some of them were getting close to their Expected Date of Delivery (EDD).

    Mrs Agnes Osamudiame told our reporter that she was in the last phase of her third trimester, and was in the hospital for her weekly antenatal check, but did not see any medical staff to attend to her for hours.

    She, however, pleaded with the government to urgently attend to the demands of the striking health workers, saying that their services were indispensable.

    Mrs Ifueko Omoruyi, another pregnant woman, said they should be taken into consideration before any strike by those in the health sector, suggesting that alternative arrangement of accessing medical services should be provided for them.

    “Most of us are due in few days, so what do we do now? The doctors should be able to join voices with other health workers so that government can resolve the issue and save us this pain,” Omoruyi said.

    Also, a man who simply gave his name as Mr Nwogheren, claimed that his pregnant wife died as a result of the strike.

    The management of the hospital led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Darlington Obaseki, is yet to react to the development.

    NAN

  • FMC Keffi, OAUTHC joins JOHESU strike

    Members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State has joined the nationwide indefinite strike called by their union.

    Similarly, JOHESU members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun, have also joined the industrial action.

    The JOHESU National Vice Chairman, Mr Obinna Ogbonna, and Chairman of FMC Keffi branch, Mr Achimugu Isaiah, confirmed this on Wednesday in Osogbo and Keffi, respectively, to our reporter.

    The union leaders said that all the health workers complied with the strike, except medical doctors who are providing skeletal services.

    Some of the demands of the union include upward adjustment of salary scale, employment of additional health professionals, review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, implementation of court judgment, among others.

    Isaiah said that they decided to join their colleagues in the strike following a directive from the national body.

    “The primary aim of every health worker is to see that the welfare of patients is improved, but health workers have no option rather than to embark on the strike in order to improve on the health status of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He said that in September 2017, the Federal Government and JOHESU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the promised that they will within five weeks implement the demands of the union.

    “This is the sixth month and nothing has been done by the federal government. We have been given the mandate by our national body to embark on a full strike.

    “It is on this note and based on the strength and power given to me by sister unions, I declare the indefinite strike as directed by our national body,” he said.

    According to him, “No implementation, no coming back to work. I want to direct all unit heads to lock your offices and hand over keys to your head of departments and any of our member found wanting will be sanctioned’’.

    Isaiah added that the strike was in the best interest of the public, especially the poor.

    The chairman called on the federal government to meet up with the demands of the union in order to improve on the health status of Nigerians.

    Reacting, Dr Luka Samuel, the Acting Medical Director of FMC Keffi, appealed to JOHESU to have a rethink and return to work in the interest of the health sector.

    Samuel reminded them that the strike would only bring untold hardship to many Nigerians, especially the less privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services.

    In Osogbo, Ogbonna told members that the union decided to join the strike due to the alleged failure of the Federal Government to honour agreements with the body.

    The national official recalled that the federal government had on Sept. 30, 2017, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the union on its demands which, according to him, was to be implemented within five weeks.

    “It will be recall that JOHESU suspended its last nationwide strike action on Sept. 30, 2017, after the signing of an MoU with the union.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, our demands are upward adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), employment of additional health workers, implementation of court judgment, upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65, among others.

    “However, it is disheartening to note that after six months after the suspension of our last strike and still counting, the federal government has not done anything tangible over the issues”.

    Ogbonna, who is also the President of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), explained that the union had to embark on the indefinite strike after the 30 days working ultimatum given to the federal government expired.

    “JOHESU unions hereby direct all her members in all federal health institutions to proceed on an indefinite strike.

    “States and Local Government health institutions are by this placed on red alert and are to continue intense sensitisation and mobilisation of members for possible entry into the fray if the government foot drags in attending to our demands,” he said.

    Ogbonna, however, called on Nigerians to prevail on government to meet its demands as agreed.

    JOHESU consists of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, among others.