By Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The Federal Government and the Imo State Government have sealed an agreement for the establishment of a new Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Okigwe, following the conversion of the former Federal Medical Centre Owerri into a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology Owerri.
According to a statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media to Governor Hope Uzodimma, the agreement was finalized during a recent meeting between a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and the Imo State Government delegation led by the governor.
The agreement provides for the conversion of the former General Hospital, Okigwe, into the new Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at Government House, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the swift approval of the new medical centre, describing the decision as a reflection of responsive and compassionate leadership.
The governor expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for addressing what he described as a longstanding gap in the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Uzodimma recalled that after the upgrade of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a Federal University of Education, and the conversion of FMC Owerri to a teaching hospital for FUTO, Imo became the only state in Nigeria without a Federal Medical Centre.
He said the state government subsequently appealed to the Federal Government, which considered the request and approved the establishment of a new FMC in Okigwe.
“To facilitate the project, the state handed over the General Hospital, Okigwe, as the take-off facility. We are happy that this agreement is being executed today. The ultimate beneficiaries are the people of Imo State,” Uzodimma said.
The governor also thanked President Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Federal Government for absorbing the hospital’s workforce into the federal system. He pledged the state’s continued support toward ensuring quality healthcare delivery across Imo.
Earlier, Dr. Salako commended the Imo State Government for its progress in the health sector, describing the state as one of the Federal Ministry of Health’s flagship partners in healthcare delivery.
He specifically praised the Uzodimma administration’s investments in primary healthcare, expansion of health insurance coverage, and development of specialist medical services.
“We see what Imo is doing in healthcare and consider the state one of our most cherished partners in achieving universal health coverage,” Salako said.
The establishment of the new FMC in Okigwe is expected to strengthen access to tertiary healthcare services for residents of Imo State and neighboring states, while also boosting healthcare infrastructure in the South-East region.
