Top officials of the Umuahia Medical Centre in Abia State have affirmed the Federal Government’s adequate funding of the institution, which is one of the biggest medical facilities in the state.
The staff, including the medical director and some nurses confirmed that the Federal Government recently increased capital outlay on the facility and also improved the frequency it releases funds for the execution of approved capital projects.
Speaking at the yearly end of the year party/thanksgiving service yesterday, FMC’s Medical Director, Professor Azubuike Onyebuchi, described the Federal Government’s support in 2023 as special and exceptional.
Professor Onyebuchi, who is currently serving his second term in office, announced that various ongoing projects in the facility would be completed, equipped and commissioned next next year, adding that the development would aid the hospital’s healthcare delivery to the public.
The medical director, who expressed optimism that the hospital was growing towards a teaching hospital status, listed some of the projects as accident/emergency block, energised clinic, a 20-room revenue generating guest house, a 30-room interns’ quarters, a new energised complex, a new microbiology laboratory and minimum access surgery blocks.
Prof. Onyebuchi, who announced that the kidney transplantation surgery that was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic would recommence next year, said that the hospital’s operations are going paperless. He added that his administration would prioritise staff welfare such that no staff is owed any lawful claim when the money is available.
“This year has been exceptional with almost 100 per cent allocation accessment. We, therefore, have reasons to thank God, the Federal Government, our host, Abia State government, our contractors and collaborators. We will continue to touch every area in this hospital without marginalising any,” he said.
Pleading with the Federal Government to grant appeal for a waiver to employ its needed critical staff, Prof. Onyebuchi lamented that staff migration had affected FMC’s operations, adding that salaries of staff found absent from their duty posts are not paid in accordance with public service rules.
On power supply, he said, “we manage to provide sustained power, but expend about N30 million monthly on power from public source, to procure diesel and service our generators, adding that to ensure adequate security, the hospital is electronically monitored round the clock.
The staff, while corroborating Prof. Onyebuchi’s claims, pledged to adhere to the his call to reciprocate the Federal Government’s favorable disposition to the hospital. They, however, urged the FMC boss to promote qualified staff when due and also settle their entitlements when funds become available.
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