U-Report: Ex-Minister Commends FGN On F.M.C. Owerri

Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho

Report By E.N Iwuala

President Goodluck Jonathan and the management of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri have been commended for the massive infrastructural development the medical centre has been witnessing for a while now.

The former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho made this remark during the 2013 General Meeting of the Association of Resident Doctors of FMC Chapter, Owerri, held recently at the Multi-Purpose Hall FMC Owerri.

Delivering a lecture at the event entitled ‘Good Governance; an Indispensable Tool to Improved Health Care Delivery’, the former minister who is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Genesis World-Wide Shipping Company said that  Good Governance among other things, is participatory, transparent, accountable, result-oriented, strategic and promotes the rule of law at all levels and every institution.

On improving health system in Nigeria, the Ex Minister had this to say:

‘Improving health system requires reformation and political commitment. In addition, to that, adequate financial and human resources should be put in place… Also, there should collaborative approach to service delivery… There should be increased public-private participation in healthcare delivery and government should also provide information and Communication Technology ICT)…’.

However, the Emekuku-Owerri-born eloquent advocate concluded by saying that it is only a good government at all levels and institutions that can guarantee improved health care in the country.

The lecture witnessed many commendations from various participants in the event.

While thanking the foremost mariner on the lecture which he described as highly inspiring, the out-going president of Association of Resident Doctors of FMC Chapter, Owerri, Dr. Thyword Agu identified the challenges in the health sector in the country to include: lack of health care facilities, incessant strikes by health cworkers, poor remuneration of health workers and unhealthy government policies in the health sector.

The event which was well attended by many doctors and other stakeholders in the governance of the country, also witnessed other presentations from other speakers.