[BREAKING NEWS] FG SHUTS DOWN FMC OWERRI: Just before this lingers, Dear Hon. MInister

Our watchful eyes and anxious ears have finally been greeted with mixed feelings following a preliminary action over the fate of the embattled Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri – the order of closure of the Centre by the Federal Government through the Minister of Health - following series of industrial actions which has plagued it since the first half of the year 2015. Despite very many visits by the Board of Management of the hospital and the panel of enquiry set up as well as the recent visit by the newly appointed Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, it has still remained a heinous task to quickly provide a solution to the crisis. There is no doubt that there is more to it that meets the eyes in the scenario playing out and that it will be unwise for uninformed parties to begin accusing any of the parties before getting their facts right. The issues rocking the centre are not new to the public so we wouldn’t want to dwell on those.

But irrespective of what the issues are, and as an organization concerned about the health of the society, we wish to remind the Minister of health to expedite actions in getting back the facility to full operations given the following:

1.     Provision of General Health Care: The Federal Medical Centre is a tertiary institution and that FMC Owerri is strategically located serving Imo State especially given the problems facing the state-managed hospitals. This is with respect to the provision of general health services.

2.     HIV-positive Clients on Medication: Specifically, clients on anti-retroviral therapy (HIV-positive persons receiving their medications) who have been receiving attention amidst all the crises, must not now be subjected to interrupted care given your orders, as this will worsen their condition and send them to early graves.

3.     Healthcare delivery in Festive Seasons: In this season of festivities, it is most undesirable to have health facilities closed because with increased level of activities comes increased chances of need for health services.

4.     Research and Training: The Federal Medical Centre, Owerri is a research and training facility for young health professionals whose programmes are time-dependent. These include Industry-based training (IT), internship and residency programmes. Health data needed for research purposes will no longer be assessed as a result of the stoppage of work.

5.     Employment: FMC Owerri is a place of work for many people who will suffer the consequences of salary seizure as a result of stoppage of work imposed on them by your orders. This will add to the impact of the economic hardship already being experienced in the country and more so, in Imo State.

6.     Wastage of Resources: The longer the strike, the more the weight of damage caused as many resources and drugs worth huge amount of money will expire and become unusable due to neglect, lack of proper management as well as disuse. This is a very peculiar case in health facilities.

7.     National Concerns: At this time of various forms of restiveness especially amidst cries of marginalization, it becomes necessary for the present administration to be proactive and quick in resolving these issues so that already aggrieved minds do not find yet another reason to accuse the government of lack of concern over the welfare of a particular region in the country.

It is our utmost desire that these pleas be met promptly so that all beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries of the healthcare of the centre can smile again. However, we wish the people of IMO STATE a happy and healthy yuletide and a more prosperous new year 2016.