From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Senate has passed the Federal Medical Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 355), which sought to establish the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
The passage of the bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, was first presented to the Senate on ,21st February, 2024.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had graciously approved the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, even before the completion of the legislative processes from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The bill will now proceed to a conference committee of both the Senate and House of Representatives for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for assent.
Reacting to the passage of the bill, Senator Katung described the passage as a “major turnaround” for a region that has long grappled with inadequate access to quality healthcare services.
He said, “the new FMC will help reduce the burden of long-distance travel for specialist medical care, which often leads to delayed treatments and preventable deaths.”
According to Senator Katung, the new FMC is expected not only to bolster healthcare infrastructure but also to stimulate economic development in Southern Kaduna.
He said, the centre will not attract direct and indirect jobs, but will attract healthcare professionals, promote research and training, and improve overall public health outcomes.
He expressed gratitude to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and his colleague Senators for their support in advancing the bill.
“This is a critical step toward equity in federal healthcare infrastructure. It reflects my commitments and desire to attract meaningful development to Southern Kaduna and ensure our people’s needs are addressed at the national level.”
The passage of the bill by the Senate would go along in ensuring the smooth take off of the Medical centre.