By Hassan Zaggi
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, Kachollom Daju, has charged the 11 newly appointed Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of Federal Government owned tertiary hospitals to work closely with health workers and other critical stakeholders as a team in order to achieve high standard of health care.
She gave the charge when giving letters of appointment to the newly appointed CMDs in Abuja, Thursday.
Mrs Daju further charged the CMDs to explore all necessary avenues to provide a conducive work environment and infrastructure in their various health facilities.
“It may be challenging but there is no challenge that is unsurmountable and your appointment is an indication of the confidence the Federal Government reposed on you”.
The Permanent Secretary, therefore, enjoined the CMDs to bring their skill and wealth of experience they acquired over the years to bear in their various health facilities, reiterating that their performance will determine the renewal of their tenure.
Daju, however, assured that her Ministry will continue to provide necessary support with the available resources to enable them meet the hospital standard.
She disclosed that the Ministry will, in the next few weeks, organise an induction training to the newly appointed CMDs.
The appointment which takes effect from August 1, 2023, is for a first term of 4 years.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed CMDs, the Chief Medical Director of FMC, Mubi, Adamawa State, Dr. Mercy Anugwu expressed appreciation to the President and the Ministry for finding them worthy of the appointment, assuring that they will do their best to improve the health of Nigerians.
“We will do our best to improve the lot of our people, to justify the confidence reposed in us by the President and the Ministry.
“We will put in what it takes to move the health care system in our facilities going forward, we will not rest, we will move along with the vision of Mr. President and make sure that our people receive the best. We will not disappoint you,” she reiterated.
A statement by the Director (Press & Public Relations) of the health ministry, Patricia Deworitshe, quoted the Director, Regulatory and Professional Schools, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya, as charging the CMDs to put in their best to justify the confidence reposed in them, reiterating that, “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
He urged them to work hard, operate an open door policy and carry everybody along ensuring that the health facilities are upgraded and function optimally to deliver evidence based medical care to the teeming population of Nigeria.
The 11 newly appointed CMDs include Prof. Nyandanti Yakub Wilberforce – FMC, Hong, Adamawa State; Prof. Issa Baba Awoye –Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Buddo-Egba, Kwara State; Dr. Umar Faruk Abdumajid –FMC Daura, Katsina State; Dr. Muhammad Shittu Adamu –FMC, Wase, Plateau; Prof Shuaibu Jauro Yahya –FMC, Mubi, Adamawa State and Dr. Mercy Anugwu – MD, FMC, Onitsha, Anambra State.
Others are Prof. Auwalu Sani Salihu– FNPH Dawanau Kano State; Prof. Rufai Ahmed – Registrar/ CEO, Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria; Prof. Mangwa J. Kortar –FMC, Makurdi, Benue State; Prof. Robinson Chukwudi Onoh, Alex Ekwueme, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi Stat and Dr. Nurudeen Isa –National Orthopaedic Hospital Dala, Kano State.
