The Bill for the upgrading of the Onitsha General Hospital to a Federal Medical Centre sponsored by Anambra North Senator,Stella Oduah has been brought to fruition following an announcement by the Federal Government that the Public Health facility be immediately transformed to a Federal Medical institute.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement by Ezennia Nonso Chukwudebe, Director Media/Publicity for the Senator Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah OON, the Senator’s doggedness and efforts were highlighted and praised as the bill was duly passed by the National Assembly, culminating in President Muhammadu Buhari signing it into law.
See Statement Below:
THE FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER ONITSHA: SENATOR STELLA ODUAH’S WONDERFUL LEGACY.
Thursday the 18th day in May 2023, will go down in history as the day a Nigerian legislator, with one fell swoop, lived up to the demands of her office and positively affected the lives of not only her people but the district she represents and her state at large.
For decades, Anambra State had gone without a Federal Medical Center and this had meant that anyone in need of the kinds of wholesome medicare such an establishment offers, had to travel long distances to neighbouring states with the attendant discomfort associated with such pilgrimages but on the hitherto mentioned day, history was made as the dignitaries ably led by Barrister Ekumankama, the Hon. Minister for Health State, trooped out to unveil the latest Federal Medical Center situated at the heart of Onitsha, the economic capital of Anambra State.
Recall that Senator Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah in a bill (Sb814) to the National Assembly, had made an impassioned plea, calling on her colleagues and the Executive branch, to come to the aid of her people by upgrading the General Hospital Onitsha to Federal Medical Center.
Her doggedness would prove highly successful as the bill was duly passed by the National Assembly, culminating in President Muhammadu Buhari signing it into law.
With this singular act, Senator Stella Oduah has written her name in gold for the ages for one cannot begin to even quantify the enormous advantages that will accrue to the State by reason of hosting such a monumental institution and as we speak, current staff of the hitherto “Onitsha General Hospital” have all been upgraded to Federal workers with their emoluments witnessing a dramatic increase.
Again, qualified constituents are poised to take up duty posts in the hundreds of employment opportunities available in the new Federal institution and in the coming Budget, there remains no doubt that monies will be made available for the huge infrastructural and human development needed to upgrade the institution to what is obtainable in other FMC’s spread across the country.
Senator Stella Oduah truly deserves all the accolades she’s currently receiving as the successful bill also made provision for FMC anexes to be situated at;
a. Diagnostic Center to be located at Nando in Anambra East LGA.
b. Eye Specialist Center to be located at Odukwe in Ogbaru LGA.
c. Drug Rehabilitation Center to be located in Ayamelum LGA.
d. FMC ANNEX 1 to be located in Ogbaru LGA.
e. FMC ANNEX 2 to be located in Oyi LGA.
f. School of Nursing Sciences to be located at Akili in Ogbaru LGA.
Simply put, this was one bill whose signing into law was always guaranteed to bring about positive change on a scale like never before seen in the annals of Anambra State and it is imperative that Mr. President be thanked for putting pen to paper in this very historic move designed to assuage the plight of millions, especially Anambra North constituents who can now stand to be counted amongst people enjoying Federal presence in the area of healthcare and judging from the fanfare, the outburst of unfeigned joy and the infectious celebration that has continued unabated since the unveiling, it is safe to say that Senator Princess Stella Oduah OON truly outdid herself this time in leaving a most welcome legacy that will forever stand the test of time.”
The Minister of State for Health, Hon. Ekumankama Joseph Nkama who represented the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire performed the commissioning in Onitsha amidst cheers and jubilation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Nkama said with the upgrading of the hospital to a federal medical center, the federal government would soon employ more Doctors and other staff.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike and the Obi of Onitsha represented Chief Emengo were also present at the commissioning.
In her reaction,the senator said that the reality of upgrading the hospital to FMC was an indication of her commitment to draw attention of the federal government to the state and her constituency in particular. According to her,with the FMC in Onitsha,many would be employed and proper and affordable healthcare given to the people.
“Right from when I was elected in 2019, the economic and healthy well being of people has always remained dear to my heart, with this I am grateful to the Federal government and my colleagues at the Senate for supporting this bill.
“By the time the upgrade is completed our people both within and across the state will have access to more qualitative health services and more doors will be opened for employment. I will always remain grateful to my constituents for giving me the opportunity to serve them, Oduah said.
Similarly, Oduah through her youth development programmes in her constituency, sponsored over 250 constituents into an intensive Nursing Assistant training programme amongst other free medical outreaches.
