The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centre Act, 2022, and Establish the Federal Medical Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and for Related Matters,” was sponsored by Hon. (Barr.) Blessing Chigeru Amadi.
Presenting the bill, Hon. Amadi noted that Port Harcourt, as a fast-growing metropolitan city and a major commercial and industrial hub, requires a federal medical institution capable of providing quality healthcare services to its residents and surrounding communities.
She stated that the proposed centre would bridge the healthcare gap in the South-South region, create employment opportunities, promote medical research and training, and enhance emergency response capacity.
“The establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Port Harcourt will not only improve access to quality healthcare but also contribute to the overall development of the region’s health infrastructure,” she added.
After deliberations, the bill received unanimous support from members and was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions for further legislative action.
