In significant development, the Nigerian Senate has officially passed a bill to establish a Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Adikpo, Benue State. The bill which was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende received unanimous approval during its third and final reading.
Senator Udende maintained that the new medical facility if established will address the health needs of the residents not only in the Benue North East Senatorial Zone but across the State and beyond.
The development arises from the recent amendment to the Federal Medical Center’s Act of 2022 and responds to pressing healthcare challenges faced by the community. Currently, patients in Adikpo must travel over 300 kilometers to Makurdi, the state capital, to reach the nearest Federal Medical Center, which often puts their health at risk.
Senator Emmanuel Udende then highlighted the difficulties faced by residents of Kwande, a border area adjacent to the Republic of Cameroon, who frequently need to seek medical attention outside Nigeria, adding that these situations can lead to frustration and financial burdens.
In a statement by the media aide to the senator Mr Jerry Iorangen said the senator believes that the new FMC will not only improve health outcomes but also foster economic benefits, trade, and cultural exchanges due to its strategic location near the Cameroonian border.
The distinguished lawmaker however expressed gratitude to the Senate for their timely response to the healthcare needs of his constituents and applauded the Senate Committee on Health and Tertiary Institutions for their thorough public hearings, which helped facilitate the bill’s progress.
The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law.
