FG hands over 14 new maternal, child health care centres  to Teaching Hospitals, FMC

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has handed over 14 newly constructed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC) health centres to Federal Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres (FMC) for operations.

Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, who disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday said that the gesture was part of efforts to combat maternal and child mortality in Nigeria.

Alausa said that the centres were made up of six fully equipped 80-bed health facilities and eight 100-bed MCC across 12 states.

He identified the states as Bauchi, Delta, Plateau, Taraba, Abia, Cross River, Oyo, Kebbi, Ondo, Kano, Benue, and Ogun.

He said that the facilities were constructed and donated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.

He explained that the MCC and healthcare centres would be operated under the Federal Teaching Hospitals and FMCs across the country.

This, he said, would enhance the capacity of healthcare centres to deliver comprehensive and meaningful healthcare services to Nigerians.

The minister noted that despite some progress in reducing children under-five years and infant mortality rates, the country still contributes about 20 per cent of global maternal mortality rates.

According to him, the newly constructed facilities are expected to play a crucial role in providing essential healthcare services to mothers and children.

“This, in the long run, will contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare infrastructure in the country.”

While commending the OSSAP on SDG for the support, the minister acknowledged the importance of inter-governmental relationships and partnerships in achieving SDGs 3.

The SDGs 3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

He said that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the administration’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the people.

“The ministry looks forward to the positive impact these facilities and the partnerships will have on the health outcomes of the nation,” Alausa said.

He said that of the six 80-bed health facilities, 80-bed Hospital Bauchi, Bauchi state would be managed by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.

He added that 80-bed Hospital Ugbuwangue, Warri South LGA, Delta State would be managed by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, while 80-bed Hospital Oleh, Isoko South LGA, Delta was assigned to University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Similarly, the minister said that 80-bed Hospital Jarnai Road, Wase, was assigned to FMC Wase, in Plateau, while 80-bed Hospital Wuro, was assigned to FMC Jalingo, Taraba State.

He further said that 80-bed Hospital Okutu Ikang, Okoyong LGA of Cross River was handed over to the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Calabar.

On the 100-bed MCC, the minister said that 100-bed MCC, Kaura, in Jigawa was assigned to FMC Birnin Kudu, while 100-bed MCC, Tsamiya Bagudo, would be managed by FMC Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State.

He added that the MCC Tofa in Kano would be managed by the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Dawanau, Kano state, while the MCC Ifon was assigned to FMC Owo, Ondo state.

 The minister further said that the MCC, Makurdi, in Benue State would be managed by FMC Makurdi al Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, while the one located at Ugwunago, would be managed by FMC Umuahia, Abia state.

He equally said that MCC located in Ikenne was assigned to Ogun State while the 100-bed MCC constructed in Abonde Ona-Ara, in Ibadan in Oyo, would be managed by the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. (NAN)