MINISTER CALLS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL CENTERS ACROSS THE NATION
CAROLINE AMEH
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has called on stakeholders at a one day public hearing on the establishment of Federal Medical Centre in Mubi Adamawa state, take advantage and widen medical space by not only establishing one in Mubi but across the country especially in this period where health facilities are in dire need.
Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello made this known during the public hearing on the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre Mubi Adamawa state in Abuja.
According to the Minister, there is the need for the establishment of medical facilities, irrespective of size and location of a place in the country.
Bello also noted that, with the rising population of the Nigerian citizens, it has become increasingly difficult for people to access quality health care.
The Chairman Senate committee on Health, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe said the bill will referred to the committee on the floor of the senate for legislative input.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe said Mubi in Adamawa state was strategic for a medical centre.
The senate president, senator Ahmad Lawan who was represented at the public hearing by the chairman, senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe said the need to provide health care for all Nigerians is fundamental.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Aisha Adamawa Central, Hajiya Dahiru Binani said many factors were considered for the proposed siting of a Federal medical centre in Mubi.
Senator Aisha Dahiru Ahmad Binani said Mubi is a big local government where many local government Areas of Borno state are closer to it than Maiduguri.
She said the establishment of the Federal medical centre in Mubi was long over due adding that the present Yola Hospital has been converted to a teaching hospital when the Federal University of technology Yola was converted to Modibbo Adamawa university.
Yielding the floor to those who came for the public hearing, such as professor Iya Abubakar, Called for a speedy passage of the bill for onward transmission to the presidency for endorsement.
The former governor of Adamawa state, Mr James Ngilale said that Muno is a Commercial nerve centre in the Northeast and sitting Federal medical centre with modern facilities would attract medical tourism.
But the Federal Ministry of Health kicked against the establishment of the Federal medical Centre.
The permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Health Alhaji Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi considered the cost implication as one factor against the proposal.
Also opposing to the bill, a member of Adamawa concerned group from Hong, Architect Paterson Bana said the Federal medical centre supposed to be sited in Hong.
The public hearing came to a close as the chairman senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe promised that the committee would look into the memoranda and make recommendations.
