The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ebonyi state chapter has urged the state governor, David Umahi, to construct a new Teaching Hospital for the state and create employment for its teeming population.
The union also tasked the governor to use his second tenure in office to complete the ongoing rehabilitation of the 13 general hospitals in the state.
The NMA request was contained in a congratulatory letter to the governor on his re-election, which was signed by the state Chairman, John Egede and Secretary, Chukwuemeka Nwoye.
It said the call became necessary following the overwhelming of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki,
“We also believe that our general hospitals will become fully operational and functional to enormously tackle the health needs of the masses.
“We requested for that unemployment be improved and that the state insurance scheme become functional.
“Part of the hospital was originally the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, before it was handed over to the federal government by the Martin Elechi-led government.
“The Goodluck Jonathan administration merged the hospital with the Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki to become FETHA.
“We strongly hope that under your second tenure in office, a new teaching hospital will emerge as the subsisting one is gradually becoming overwhelmed serving as the only tertiary/referral health institution within the state,” it stated.
The NMA also requested that the governor should domesticate the National Health Act (2014) in the state.
The association described the governor’s re-election as reward for excellence and work well done in his first term.
“We are delighted that your numerous life changing projects within the state including those in the health sector will definitely stand chances of being completed and put to use.
“The NMA is pleased to note that Ebonyi is increasingly becoming the yardstick for giant developmental strides for many states of the country.
“We firmly believe that our state will continue to develop dynamic, mutually beneficial programmes and projects and that the joint initiative in the fields of health, security, economy, agriculture and science will be strengthened under your second tenure in office”, the NMA noted.
