FG orders medical directors to improve patient care, prevent strikes

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The Federal Government has directed newly appointed Medical Directors of Federal Medical Centres to prioritise patient care.

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It also ordered them to prevent industrial disputes that could disrupt healthcare services across the country.

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The directive was contained in a statement released on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.

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The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, spoke in Abuja while presenting appointment letters to six Medical Directors.

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“I want to encourage you to be fully abreast of government policies and ensure they are reflected in everything you do,” Salako said.

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He stressed that maintaining peace within hospitals is critical to effective service delivery, urging the new appointees to engage health workers and unions consistently.

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“Keep an open-door policy with unions and continuously engage them. Whatever issues can be resolved early through dialogue should be addressed promptly,” he said.

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The minister also issued a strong warning against denying patients access to care.

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“A situation where patients are turned back will not be accepted,” he stated.

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Salako disclosed that the ministry had established a task force on clinical governance and patient safety, directing Medical Directors to replicate similar systems in their hospitals to improve accountability and patient feedback.

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On staffing challenges, he urged them to take advantage of the Federal Government’s fast-track waiver system for recruitment.

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“We are challenged in terms of human resources, but there is now a faster process for employment. Some Medical Directors are slow to act — we expect you to do better,” he said.

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He further advised those reappointed for a second term to step up performance, while urging new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Tinubu.

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In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Kamil Shoretire, noted that gaps still exist in the health sector.

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“What we want is clear improvement in performance and stronger commitment to the well-being of Nigerians,” she said.

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Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed Medical Directors, Evinly Nzeribe of FMC Okigwe pledged commitment to improving healthcare delivery.

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“We will take the government’s agenda to greater heights and make the health system better,” she said.

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Also, Adamu Atterwharmie of FMC Birnin Kudu, representing those reappointed, promised continued loyalty to government directives.

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“We will implement policies effectively and justify the confidence reposed in us,” he said.

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The appointed Medical Directors include Adamu Atterwharmie (FMC Birnin Kudu, second term), Evinly Nzeribe (FMC Okigwe), Umar Musami (FNPH Maiduguri), Mu’azu S.I [name incomplete — confirm with reporter] (FMC Kumo), Omo Ekeneam (FMC Asaba), and Abubakar Usman (FMC Bida, second term).

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