By Enweliku Kent
The Minister of State for Health Senator Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora has Commissioned four capital projects executed by the authorities of the Federal Medical Center, Asaba on Friday March 19, 2021.
The projectd contained a Molecular Biology Laboratory, a 15 – room Intensive Care Unit, a 40 – room House Officers Quarters and a Guest House of 17 rooms.
Adeleke, commended the management of the hospital for delivering such quality landmark projects, which would help to make healthcare services easily accessible and affordable to the people of Delta and the neighbouriing states.
Senator Adeleke applauded the Director General of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, for facilitating the construction of the Molecular Biology Laboratory, saying that it was part of measures to improve response to the management of the COVID – 19 pandemic.
The Minister acknowledged the immense support and assistance of Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to FMC Asaba, particularly in containing the spread of the COVID – 19 pandemic, adding that it affirmed the determination of the Governor to improve the health status of his people.
He charged the management and staff of the hospital to ensure quality healthcare delivery to the sick, to justify the huge investment of the Federal Governnent in the health sector, with increased budgetary allocation.
The Chairman, Board of Management of the hospital, Senator Alkali Jajere, said the cordial working relationship between the Board, management and staff was instrumental in the development and growth of the Federal health Institution.
Senator Jajere noted that the Chief Medical Director of the hospital had shown a great deal of vision, energy, focus and exemplary leadership in the running of the Medical Center, adding that the Board was impressed with the hospital’s strategic goals, particularly with respect to infrastructural and human capital development.
Going down memory lane, the Medical Director, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, said FMC Asaba was established in August 1998, and took off from the premises of the old General Hospital, Asaba, with old buildings and equipment unbefitting of a Federal tertiary health Institution and no take off grant.
Dr. Osiatuma said although the beginning was rough, the hospital was able to transform massively and quickly to fulfil the roles expected of it, acknowledging the efforts of all past Medical Directors at bringing the hospital to its present status of a modern Federal Tertiary Health Institution.
The Medical Director, who assumed duty in June 2015, said the four capital projects commissioned were the results of the prudence and resourcefulness of the management of the hospital.
He thanked the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, for his contributions to the development of the hospital, as well as the Chairman, Board of Management, Senator Alkali Jajere, the Director General, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the staff and unions of the hospital for their roles in achieving WAR AGAINST COVID-19