The federal government has applauded the completion of a new administrative block
compromising of 62 offices by the the Federal Medical Centre (FCM) Jabi.
The minister of state for Health, Ekumankama Joseph, while commissioning the building in Abuja, expressed optimism that the structure will enhance the capacity and motivation of not only the administrative staff but also heads of department and clinical consultants who will be allotted offices in the new building for excellent service delivery.
He said the development will also afford the opportunity to repurpose the old administrative building into a 50 bedded space for the teeming patient population, while also enhancing accreditations of post-graduate training for the clinical departments.
The chief medical director FMC Jabi, Prof. Saad Ahmed, identified space constraint as a major challenge to the facility’s expansion of services, while stating the hospital’s vision which according to him, is to be a world class hospital for rendering quality healthcare through team work and leverage on cutting edge technology to enhance research, training and innovation in healthcare provision.
He said “When I assumed duty in the year 2020, I was taken aback by the space constraints in the facility which had no defined administrative offices. This was a huge challenge, but we had to start from somewhere. On assumption of duty, we needed to have a proper and befitting identity of the FMC Abuja.
“While thanking the federal government and other stakeholders, we want to bring to your notice the issue of space constraint which limits expansion of services. With provision of additional land space, the facility can work towards other service provision like expansion of emergency units, trauma centre, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine services and other high-end medical care.”
Ahmed recalled that the ground-breaking ceremony for the laying of the foundation for the new building, led by the chairman of the Board of Management, Dr Alex Tosan Ideh
was held on 10th of February 2021, saying “Two years on, we are here today to commission this edifice.
“This complex was built through the regular capital budgets and we thank this administration for prioritising healthcare in ensuring increased budgetary provision and seamless release of fund for capital.”
He disclosed that presently, there are other building projects ongoing in the facility apart from equipment support. “ophthalmic complex, clinical services block, counselling center and ward block extension which are all at advanced stages of completion. We appreciate the efforts of the federal government and its agencies, the National Assembly and other corporate bodies for making all these possible,” he stated.
Ahmed, however, said that the facility require some needed medical and support equipment necessary to improve patient care. “These required equipment include the 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine, computers and networking equipment, new 128-slice CT Scan machine, High-end neurosurgical & ENT equipment among others.
“We plead for increased budgetary provision to this facility as addressing these challenges can improve services and enhance health security not just in Abuja being the Nation’s capital but also the neighboring states.
