The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, signed an agreement on Tuesday September 6, 2022, for the Federal Government to take over King David University of Medical Sciences.
BASIC FACTS
- The Federal Government has taken ownership of the King David University of Medical Sciences in Ebonyi State.
- The King David University of Medical Sciences was built by the Ebonyi State government.
- The Minister of Health and Ebonyi State Governor signed an agreement on the takeover of the school on Tuesday.
WHAT WE KNOW
The Federal Government on Tuesday formally took over the ownership of King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi state. The takeover is in fulfilment of a presidential promise by President Buhari in May this year.
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, signed an agreement on September 6, 2022, for the Federal Government to take over King David University of Medical Sciences.
The takeover ceremony held in the conference room of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed. This was made known to the press in a statement signed by Ebonyi government spokesperson, Chooks Oko, said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor of Ebonyi State said the idea of the university was borne out of the desire to save the life of the people, serve them well and stem medical tourism.
Governor Umahi also stated that the beautiful university environment was beyond what a state could manage prompting the president, who commissioned it in May, to pronounce the takeover by the federal government.
Agreeing with the statement of the governor, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said the Federal Government had to take over the university because of its strategic importance to the overall healthcare plans of the federal government.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of State for Health, Barr. Joe Ekumankama, the permanent secretary of the ministry and several directors of the ministry. On the side of Ebonyi state were some commissioners and top state government officials.
NOTABLE QUOTE
David Umahi the governor of Ebonyi State stated, “Apart from the huge revenue we would save from our people traveling abroad, we would be bringing world class medical services home. That way, we are saving the lives of our people and earning foreign exchange from the foreigners coming for treatment”
The Minister of Health, Osagie Enahire stated that “The institution is very ready and well equipped with state of the art facilities. We have confirmed the standards and we are very excited to be taking it over. I will soon be there to physically take it over,”
COMMENTARY
Recall that at the commissioning of the King David University of Medical Sciences Uburu, Ebonyi State, the state governor had urged the federal government to takeover the university built by Ebonyi State government.
The governor had reasoned that the FG takeover would bring in more funding into the institution, thereby availing the state and her people of the enhanced services that will be offered.
On face value, this looks like a good partnership between the federal government and Ebonyi State. However, the question to ask is, is the federal government refunding the huge sum used in building and equipping the University?
What agreement has been reached in terms of employment, admission of students etc? These questions are pertinent in a state where federal character and catchment area is a big factor in admission.
Moreover, if the idea of the school is to provide more admission and employment opportunity for the people of Ebonyi state, hope the state government is conscious that these may now be determined from Abuja and not Abakalike.
There also the question of how much the federal government have effectively funded the exiting federal health institutions to suggest that the Ebonyi State facility is going into an efficient and capable fund provider?
