From Jonas Ezieke, Abuja
The member representing Ethiope East/West Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives Hon Ben Igbakpa on Thursday made a strong case for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre FMC in Oghara town.
He told stakeholders at a public hearing on the establishment of the tertiary health institution that not only will it bring health care services nearer to the large population of the constituency and its environs, it would also save them the cost of travelling for over five hours to access the nearest tertiary health institution in Asaba, the state capital.
This is just as feelers gleaned from the presentation of the Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ohanire at the public hearing suggest that the Ministry of Health might not be in support with the position canvassed by the sponsor of the Bill.
Igbakpa had noted that with the ever increasing population figure of Oghara and it’s environs, occasioned by the citing of military and educational institutions it calls for the establishment of a federal medical centre in the area.
The lawmaker said given the penchant of the people in the area not to approach hospitals untill their health situation deteriorates, many lives were being lost by transporting sick patients for hours over typical bad roads in the country for hours before receiving medical attention.
He gave an assurance of the constituency’s readiness to contribute it’s quota to the successful establishment of a FMC in Oghara.
Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire’s Presentation to the Hearing was presented to Committee of Health’s secretariats on the morning of the Hearing by a director from the ministry who represented the minister on the occasion.
When called upon to speak to the Minister’s presentation, his representative said in a diplomatic language that the ministry was all out to bring healthcare facilities nearest to the people in line with the WHO charter and would support efforts along such lines.
Committee chairman Hon. Chigozie Obi who must have perused the Minister’s presentation to the Public Hearing pointed out the contradiction in the contents of the Minister’s presentation and the short one by his representative.
Obi pointed out that nowhere in the two presentations was the position of the ministry made clear on whether or not the ministry is in support of the Bill for the establishment of a tertiary healthcare centre in Oghara.
He noted that rather, the Minister’s presentation to the committee was laced with government policies of not providing two FMCs in any one state.He added that considering the fact that one is already in Asaba and that any state where a federal teaching hospital already existed might not be entitled to a federal health facility.
While adjourning the Committee’s sitting, Hon. Obi gave an assurance that all the views so collated at the hearing will be analyzed and aggregated into a report to be considered by the entire House in session on the matter.
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