From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, Abuja, has been recognized as the best public health care facility in the 54 countries that made up the Commonwealth nations.
The health facility was picked among several other public health facilities that were assessed and reviewed by the selection team that was made of people of repute.
Similarly, the Medical Director of the hospital, FMC Jabi, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed, also emerged the best public health care advocate in the Commonwealth.
President of Commonwealth Medical Association (CMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who presented the award to the management of the hospital at a ceremony at the hospital, in Abuja, on Wednesday, confirmed that the awards to the hospital and its Medical Director was based on merit, going by the judgment of the “highly respected” individuals that decided on the choice of the awardees.
He explained further: “this is a maiden award of the CMA and the aim was to assess and openly recognize facilities that have done well in their responsibilities in the previous year, to the health-seeking public. The CMA award is not like other awards that are based on ‘cash and carry’.
“It was initiated as an avenue to recognize and encourage sense of diligence, excellence and commitment from health workers and even people outside the health care system who have been of tremendous use to the health care system.”
Dr. Enabulele who was recently inaugurated in Berlin, Germany, as the President of World Medical Association (WMA) confirmed that selection process for the awards was rigorous and transparent. “Both the criteria and processes were uploaded online and were regularly updated so that all concerned could follow for the sake of transparency and accountability.”
He challenged public health care facilities in the 54 Commonwealth countries to emulate and take the steps taken by FMC Jabi, Abuja, so they could stand a better chance of recognition in subsequent awards.
The Medical Director, FMC Jabi, Abuja, Prof. Sa’ad Ahmed, his response, appreciated the recognition from the Commonwealth Medical Association, describing it as booster to the work they are doing in the service of humanity.
He, however, gave the credit for the success to all the health workers in the FMC Jabi, Abuja, whom he said, have displayed dedication and commitment to the issues that concerns the patients.
He assured the CMA and WMA that the hospital, FMC Jabi, Abuja, will not lower its guards as regards service to humanity, but would rather improve in every areas of service so that public confidence and trust could continue to increase in the system.
Meanwhile, a newly procured motorized stretcher by the FMC Jabi, Abuja, was commissioned as part of the event.