The Nigerian Government has directed newly appointed Medical Directors of Federal Medical Centres to prioritise patient care and ensure the smooth delivery of healthcare services across the country.
It also urged them to prevent industrial disputes that could disrupt hospital operations.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, gave the charge in Abuja while presenting appointment letters to six Medical Directors.
“I want to encourage you to be fully abreast of government policies and ensure they are reflected in everything you do”, Salako said.
He stressed that maintaining industrial harmony in hospitals was critical to effective service delivery, urging the appointees to engage health workers and unions consistently.
“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.
The minister also warned against denying patients access to care.
“A situation where patients are turned back will not be accepted”, he stated.
Salako disclosed that the ministry had set up a task force on clinical governance and patient safety, directing Medical Directors to replicate similar structures in their hospitals to strengthen accountability and patient feedback systems.
On staffing challenges, he urged them to take advantage of the Federal Government’s fast-track waiver system for recruitment.
“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.
He further advised reappointed Medical Directors to improve on past performance, while urging new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Bola Tinubu.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Kamil Shoretire, noted that gaps still exist in the health sector.
“What we want is clear improvement in performance and stronger commitment to the well-being of Nigerians”, she said.
Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed Medical Directors, Evinly Nzeribe of FMC Okigwe, pledged commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
“We will take the government’s agenda to greater heights and make the health system better”, she said.
Also, Adamu Atterwharmie of FMC Birnin Kudu, speaking for reappointed directors, promised continued loyalty to government directives.
“We will implement policies effectively and justify the confidence reposed in us”, he said.
