The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Dr Amos Magaji has announced plans by the National Assembly to probe the management of Drug Revolving Fund, address the Ja-pa syndrome, quota system in employment, low standard in medical schools, and ensure quality hospital management to address medical tourism in the country.
Speaking at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, Abia State capital, during an oversight visit with members of his committee, Magaji noted that the House will conduct a public hearing on Federal Government’s declaration of state of emergency in the health sector.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, had in November 2023, during the 64th National Council on Health, held in Ekiti state said that the nation’s health facilities are in bad shape, and need an urgent intervention.
The committee inspected FMC hospital facilities, ongoing projects, and interacted with staff union executives. They were impressed with the facilities and want it replicated in other hospitals to curb medical tourism by Nigerians, as well as save foreign exchange in the country.
Magaji threatened sanctions against health institutions that may contravene the stipulated rules, and urged FMC Umuahia not to renege on or deviate from its high standards in maintaining its prevailing operating environment that is conducive to healthcare delivery, prevention of diseases, and training of medical professionals.
FMC Medical Director, Prof Azubuike Onyebuchi, assured the committee that the management will ensure that the centre meets world standards and giving best available medical care to reduce medical tourism abroad.
Magaji reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to support medical centres through the release of capital allocation. He lauded the hospital management for its judicious use and management of last year’s allocation.
He, however, charged the hospital to work towards increasing its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and tasked the staff and management to sustain peaceful industrial relations to engender greater productivity and industrial harmony.
