Guardian

THE new board Chairman of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia state, Dr. Wakil Chibok, has called for the upgrading of the centre to a teaching hospital.

Chibok made the call at the centre recently, when he led members of the board on inspection of the centre.

He noted that the facility available at the FMC were adequate to operate a teaching hospital and surpass those in many hospitals within and outside the country.

His words: “We are very impressed with the facilities on ground here and wonder why this centre has not been upgraded to a teaching hospital yet. I therefore call on the Federal Government to consider this because the FMC Umuahia fully qualifies for a teaching hospital.

Continuing, he said: “I also wonder why in spite of these facilities in all its units, Nigerians especially those of the catchment areas, still seek medical attention outside the country”.

Praising the FMC management led by its Medical Director, Dr. Abali Chuku, the new chairman, tasked the workers to maintain the facility and still work towards improving on their performances.

“We shall look into their funding, which we already know is inadequate for which we shall appeal to the Federal Government for upward review. We also urge the management to look further inwards to raise more internally generated revenue without necessarily increased medical charges”.

According to him, they could do this by attracting more patronages through diligence in attending to patients, which would in turn attract national and international assistance.

In addition, he tasked the workers to imbibe the culture of teamwork, shun strikes actions and always table their grievances before the board for necessary attention.