By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja
A member representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Teekay Yusuf,has sent “Safe Our Soul”(SOS) letter to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osaige Ehanire over the prolong closure of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja.
A correspondent of The Reporters,an online publication, report that the hospital,the largest of its kind and best equipped in Kogi state, was closed July this year following vandalism of some of its property by some armed youths.
In the letter, the legislator drew the attention of the minister to loss of lives and economic woes that had beset numerous families, following the closure of the health facility, describing the development as beyond comprehension.
He added,” The prolonged closure of the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja has brought agonizing pains to people across Kogi State and Minister of Health Dr. Osaige Ehanire should urgently address the situation
Yusuf lamented that the closure of FMC,the facility he described as the best government hospital in the entire state, meant more deaths for patients whose health complications would have been better managed if the hospital is operational.
“It is beyond party or ethnic affiliations now, too many of our people are in needless pains. Two months ago, members of the Kogi State House of Assembly made an appeal which was ignored in Abuja.
“Also, at various fora, concerned individuals of Kogi State have respectively called for the re opening of FMC Lokoja.
Yusuf recalled that “Four months ago, FMC Lokoja offered services to indigenes and residents in the state.
‘It was closed on the orders of the Federal Ministry of Health, following an alleged invasion of the hospital by thugs.
“Since then, our people have been travelling all the way to Abuja or Akure, Ibadan and Lagos for health conditions that could otherwise be treated at FMC Lokoja.
“Patients with prior medical appointments now face the rigours of travelling, even at the risk of further complicating their health challenges.
“Many indigent patients are now forced to live in precarious conditions and several of those who cannot afford the trips to Abuja or other cities face increased likelihood of death, Yusuf said.
According to him, there is no way the Medical Centre’s services can be replicated for now.
“People from all three Senatorial Districts and seven Federal Constituencies in Kogi State are stridently appealing to the conscience of the Minister and others in authority for the re-opening of FMC, Lokoja.
“The Centre has some of the best hands in most fields of medicalcare, including eye surgeons and having one of the very best cardiologists in Nigeria,”he added.