Senator Haruna Manu (Taraba Central) through a memorandum submitted to the Nigerian Senate Committee on Health has called for the passage of an amendment to the Federal Medical Centers Act, 2022, to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gembu, Taraba State.
The amendment which gained the audience of senators, transitional rulers, stakeholders, professional and others at the Senate public hearing today seeks to provide a legal framework for the recognition, funding, and operationalization of FMC Gembu.
The proposed FMC Gembu according to the memorandum aims to address geographical health disparities and reduce healthcare inequality in the region. He argued that the Mambilla Plateau, where Gembu is located, is distant from other tertiary healthcare facilities in Taraba State, with the nearest FMCs hours away over challenging terrain. The high altitude climate and unique environmental conditions of the area exacerbate health challenges, making a dedicated centre essential for specialized treatments and emergency response.
“Gembu and its environs are prone to send outbreaks including respiratory infections, waterborne discates, and zoonotic illnesses due to its unique topography and climate”
“The Mambilla Plateau is distant from other healthcare facilities in Taraba State and the nearest FMCs are hours away over challenging terrain.The high altitude climate and unique environmental of the area exacerbate health challenges, making a dedicated centre essential for specialized treatments and emergency”
The establishment of FMC Gembu base on the submission of the memorandum is expected to have numerous benefits, including among which are improved healthcare services, provision of specialized medical services, including neonatal intensive care, safe delivery options, and family planning services.
Senator Haruna also argued that it will create job for economic growth. “The FMC will create employment opportunities for medical professionals, administrative personnel, and auxiliary workers, stimulating the local economy, enhanced security and stability using it’s stabilizing factor, providing medical services to victims of conflict and strengthening government presence and social welfare initiatives.
He also stresses the important of the Bill in addressing Medical Research and Training The FMC will serve as a training center for medical students, resident doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, encouraging collaborative research in tropical medicine, high-altitude conditions, and public health interventions.
To ensure the full realization of the amendment’s objectives, Sen. Haruna Manu in the memorandum recommends the inclusion of provisions for statutory inclusion in the federal budget, public-private partnership framework, and administrative autonomy and governance structure.
The Senate Committee on Health is urged to pass the amendment, providing the necessary legislative backing for the immediate and sustainable implementation of FMC Gembu to addressing critical healthcare, economic and security issues in Gembe and it’s environs.
