FG, Imo Seal Agreement on New Federal Medical Centre in Okigwe

The Federal Government and the Imo State Government have formally signed an agreement paving the way for the establishment of a new Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Okigwe, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.

The agreement, signed in Owerri on Wednesday, provides for the conversion of the General Hospital Okigwe, into a Federal Medical Centre following the earlier transformation of the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, into a teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who received a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the approval of the new FMC as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to responsive governance and improved healthcare access.

The Governor recalled that Imo became the only state in Nigeria without a Federal Medical Centre after the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, was converted into a teaching hospital and the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education was upgraded to a Federal University of Education.

According to him, the state subsequently appealed to the Federal Government for the establishment of a replacement FMC, a request that was granted by President Tinubu.

“To facilitate the project, the state government 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 thanked President Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate and the Federal Government for approving the project and absorbing the existing hospital workforce.

He also pledged the state government’s continued cooperation to ensure the successful operation of the facility and the delivery of quality healthcare services to residents.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Salako commended the Imo State Government for what he described as remarkable investments in healthcare, particularly in primary healthcare development, health insurance expansion and specialist medical services.

He described Imo as one of the Federal Ministry of Health’s flagship states and a critical partner in the pursuit of universal health coverage.

“We see what Imo is doing in healthcare and consider the state one of our most cherished partners in achieving universal health coverage,” the minister said.

Salako noted that the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of bringing specialised healthcare closer to citizens while reducing dependence on medical treatment abroad.

He assured the state government of sustained federal support through funding, infrastructure development and recruitment of additional healthcare personnel.

The Minister further disclosed that existing staff of the hospital willing to continue under the Federal Government would be retained after a personnel audit.

He also described the project as a strategic intervention that would improve access to advanced healthcare services across Imo State and neighbouring states in the South-East.