Owerri — The Federal Government will, as from next year, upgrade the status of six medical institutions in the country, including that of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Imo state.

The is part of its health care delivery development in line with the seven-point agenda of the present administration. Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, who said this while commissioning some completed projects at the FMC, Owerri, said out of the 52 federal health institutions in the country, six of them, including that of Owerri had been selected for additional support and upgrade so that the institutions could improve on their health care provision to the people.

"The Federal Government has huge plans for the FMC, Owerri and there is need to upgrade the institution. There is need for adequate planning", he said, while assuring that government would improve the remuneration and staff condition of workers, especially health workers.

Hong advised management and workers of federal institutions to be innovative and upright in ensuring that facilities put in their care were adequately maintained, adding that the FMC Owerri would be made to be the pride of the nation and centre of excellence as the oldest medical institution in the country. Describing the institution as an archival one, considering the fact that it was established 106 years ago (in 1903), the Minister harped on the need to exhibit attitudinal change among the management and staff in order to have a rancour-free institution.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of the institution, Professor Evara Esu, highlighted that six months into its tenure the board had stabilised the polity through meaningful dialogue and peace- making between aggrieved parties in the institution.

He also stated that the board focused on regular and speedy completion of abandoned projects and the execution of capital projects in the 2009 budget which included the commissioning of the gigantic ABC building project which was started in 2001.

In her welcome address, the centre's Medical Director, Dr. Angela Uwakwem, enumerated the many achievements recorded in the institution as well as some problems therein.

With a staff strength of 1,659 out which 42 are consultants in diverse medical specialties, 481 nurses and 284 trainees, the FMC, Owerri was declared as a centre of excellence in oncology and communicable diseases.