Governor Okorocha made the appeal through his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere who joined the Minister of State for Health. Dr. Osagie Ehanire during the commissioning of landmark projects initiated and completed by the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Dr. Mrs. Angela Uwakwem.
Prince Madumere while commending Dr. Uwakwem for initiating and midwifing about ten major projects to safe delivery, called on the Minister to spear head wish of the people of Imo State and the community of medical practice, which is the upgrade of the medical institute to a 'Teaching Hospital.'
Prince Madumere laid emphasis on the qualification of the Medical Centre in the area of Manpower, available equipment and other infrastructure. He further said the upgrade will not only elicit more interests in medical research but will up the quality of health care services and equip budding Medical Doctors to stand up to their colleagues in the world.
He commended Dr. Uwakem led Administration for keying into medical policies of President Buhari led Federal Government with its focus on primary and intensive health care for all Nigerians.
He used the opportunity to thank the management and staff of the Medical Centre for embracing peace, which has impacted positively on the patients, attributing to the present quality service with the ever ready personnel on hand to render service to the people.
He therefore expressed the readiness of Governor Okorocha led government to play whatever role necessary to achieve the deserved upgrade of the medical centre, referencing the already existing partnership between the Medical Centre and the State.
Earlier Medical Director Uwakwem thanked the Governor of Imo State represented his deputy, Prince Madumere and the Minister of State for Health for honouring their invitation even in short notice.
She pleaded with the Ministry of Health for leniency and help to pay the arrears of salaries of the health workers while the crises that held down the Medical Centre lasted.
Enumerating the achievements of the management under her tenureship, which has made Federal Medical Centre, Owerri emerge the biggest among other centres in Nigeria, she also reeled the challenges of moving patients from one section to another due to shortage of ambulances since the complex is very large.
She promised of even a much more improved health care delivery for the people.
On his part, the Minister commended the effort of Dr. Angela Uwakwem led Administration, which he described as in tandem with the health policies of President Buhari led Federal Government. He however regretted the grading of Nigeria's medical records, saying it is nothing to write home about. He however blamed the negative impression about Nigerian health sector to incessant industrial actions even in matters that are so minute.
He therefore expressed the readiness of the present Federal Government to do all within its power to change the tide with focus in making health available in every community in the country.
He however blamed the Medical workers on low rating of Nigerian health sector attributing the negative rating to incessant strikes at any slightest dispute forgetting the ethics of the profession, which he said has always put patients' lives in danger.
Uche Onwuchekwa
Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Imo State on Media
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