• The Nigerian Federal Government has directed new Medical Directors to prioritise patient care
• The hospital heads were warned against strikes and industrial dispute
• The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, said patients should never be denied access to care

The Federal Government has directed newly appointed Medical Directors of Federal Medical Centres to place patient care at the centre of their administration and prevent industrial disputes that could disrupt services.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by the ministry’s 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 the importance of maintaining peace within hospitals, noting that industrial harmony is necessary for effective healthcare delivery.

“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.

Salako also warned against situations where patients are denied access to treatment.

“A situation where patients are turned back will not be accepted,” he stated.

The minister revealed that the ministry had already set up a task force on clinical governance and patient safety.

He instructed the new Medical Directors to establish similar structures in their facilities to strengthen accountability and improve patient feedback systems.

Addressing staffing shortages, Salako urged the hospital heads to take advantage of the Federal Government’s fast-track waiver process 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 also advised those returning for a second term to improve on previous performances, while encouraging newly appointed Medical Directors to justify the confidence placed in them by President Bola Tinubu.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom, who was represented by Kamil Shoretire, said there were still significant gaps in the healthcare 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 promised commitment to better healthcare delivery.

“We will take the government’s agenda to greater heights and make the health system better,” she said.

Adamu Atterwharmie of FMC Birnin Kudu, who spoke for the reappointed Medical Directors, also pledged support for government policies.

“We will implement policies effectively and justify the confidence reposed in us,” he said.

The newly appointed Medical Directors are Adamu Atterwharmie of FMC Birnin Kudu, who is serving a second term; Evinly Nzeribe of FMC Okigwe; Umar Musami of FNPH Maiduguri; Mu’azu S.I. of FMC Kumo; Omo Ekeneam of FMC Asaba; and Abubakar Usman of FMC Bida, who is also serving a second term.

Health ministry orders immediate retirement of longstanding directors

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) had directed the immediate disengagement of all Directors who have served at least eight years in the directorate cadre.

The directive affects officials in the ministry, federal hospitals, agencies, and other related institutions.

The move is part of enforcing the eight-year tenure policy for directors as outlined in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909).