It is now official that Imo State has a new Federal Medical Centre in Okigwe following the conversion of the former Federal Medical Centre, Owerri as a Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri not long ago.

The pact to have the former General Hospital, Okigwe become Imo State's new Federal Medical Centre was sealed Wednesday, June 3, 2026 between the federal government delegation led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and those of the Imo State led by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

During the signing of agreement for the conversation of the General Hospital, Okigwe to a Federal Medical Centre, Okigwe, Governor Uzodimma commended President Bola Tinubu for the speedy approval to establish a new Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Imo State, describing the move as a demonstration of responsive and compassionate leadership.

Speaking at the Government House, Owerri during the courtesy visit by the Minister and his entourage, the Governor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for addressing what he described as a "longstanding gap in the State's healthcare infrastructure."

Uzodimma recalled that following the upgrade of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a Federal University of Education, and the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, converted to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Imo became the only State in the country without a Federal Medical Centre (FMC).

He said the State government therefore appealed to the Federal Government which saw merit in the appeal and approved the siting of a new FMC in Okigwe.

"To facilitate the project, the State handed over the General Hospital, Okigwe, as the take-off facility. We are happy that this agreement is being executed today. The ultimate beneficiaries are the people of Imo State,” the Governor said.

He therefore thanked Mr. President, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate and the Federal Government for absorbing the hospital staff and pledged the State's continued support to ensure quality healthcare delivery across Imo.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Salako, commended the Imo State Government for its achievements in the health sector, describing the State as one of the Federal Ministry of Health's "flagship States" in healthcare delivery.

Salako praised Governor Uzodimma's investments in primary healthcare, health insurance expansion and specialist medical services.

"We see what Imo is doing in healthcare and consider the State one of our most cherished partners in achieving universal health coverage," he said.

The Minister noted that the establishment of the FMC aligns with President Tinubu's vision of bringing specialist healthcare closer to Nigerians and reducing medical tourism abroad.

He assured the State government of continued federal support, including funding, infrastructure and staff recruitment, adding that existing hospital workers willing to serve under the Federal Government would be retained after an audit.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu, and other top government officials joined the Governor at the meeting.

• PHOTO: Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, after the Federal and State governments had signed the pact on Federal Medical Centre Okigwe at the Government House Owerri... Wednesday.

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