Senator Maidoki Says Kebbi State Govt, South Senatorial District Ready To Support Est Of FMC
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) Senator Garba Musa Maidoki representing Kebi South in the National Assembly has assured the Federal government of the support and cooperation of the government and the people of Kebbi State, particularly Kebi South for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Zuru.
Senator Maidoki whose bill on the Establishment of Federal Medical Centre Zuru scaled public hearing on Thursday in Abuja said the state government as well as stakeholders within the location of the FMC are set to cooperates and give their utmost support to the establishment of FMC in Zuru.
In a chat with newsmen shortly after the public hearing, Maidoki insisted FMC in Zuru will address healthcare Issues not only in Kebbi, but also in Niger and Zamfara State. among others.
According to him, “I can assure the Federal government of a huge availability of human resources and massive land allocation should the Bill be passed by the National Assembly and assented to by his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Our State government, stakeholders and professionals, especially medical and healthcare practitioners both at home and in the diaspora are in full support of the bill that is why you see today (Thursday) about five professors in medical field, Army Generals as well as other sons and daughters of my Senatorial District trooped in foe the public hearing.
“This, of course is a sign of acceptability, appreciation and willingness to support the establishment of the FMC in Zuru,” he said.
Maidoki, in his quest to help in the improvement of healthcare services in Kebbi State, and (Kebbi South in particular sponsored a bill to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Zuru, Kebbi State.
The Bill is aims to provide secondary healthcare facilities to the people of Zuru Emirate in particular, Kebbi State and the surrounding areas.
Senator Maidoki re-emphasised that FMC Zulu when established will not only carter for the tertiary healthcare service needs of Kebbi State but will also served as the closest medical healthcare services provider to Niger State and Zamfara state respectively because of it proximity to some parts of the states which he said is closer to Zulu than the state’s capital of the states where they can access quality healthcare services.
However, in his memorandum presented to the Senate Committee on Health Senator Maidoki ssid the establishment of FMCs across the country was initiated by Decree No. 10 of 1985, with the aim of providing tertiary healthcare services. In Kebbi State, the FMC Birnin Kebbi was established on June 6, 2000, and has since been upgraded to a University Teaching Hospital.
The lawmaker emphasized the need for an FMC in Zuru, citing the large population of the area and the challenges faced in accessing healthcare services in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. The distance between Zuru Emirate and Birnin Kebbi is approximately 240 km, making it difficult for patients, especially children and pregnant women, to access secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
The proposed FMC will provide services to parts of Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto States within a 50km radius. Senator Maidoki urged his colleagues and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to support the bill, emphasizing that healthcare is a fundamental privilege expected from any government.
