Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Idris Ahmed Wase has done it again.
The astute lawmaker who is known for attracting projects to his state has this time, seen to the coming on stream of two important projects that will democratise access to healthcare in Nigeria.
Recall that while serving as Deputy Speaker in the 9th Assembly, Rt Hon Wase midwifed the National Orthopaedic hospital, Jos and the Federal Medical Center, Wase.
The story must be told, even though the erudite parliamentarian prefers to do his things without the kleig lights, that it was Rt Hon Wase who sponsored the bill for the establishment of an orthopaedic hospital in the country which idea quickly gained traction and was immediately accepted by then President Muhammadu Buhari and had it implemented across other geopolitical zones in the country.
The bid to touch the lives of ordinary citizens has been in the character of Rt Hon Wase who as a ranking lawmaker, does not hesitate to put his best when it comes to improving the lot of the people and facilitating development across the country.
Barely four weeks ago, the former Deputy Speaker commissioned the National Open University in Wase to open opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire tertiary education and empower youths in his constituency and beyond with skills and knowledge to compete across the globe.
It is not surprising that Rt. Hon. Wase, who has aptly been described as a transformational leader has now witnessed the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government for the National Orthopedic Hospital, Jos and the federal Medical Centre, Wase.
Hon Tunji Alausa, Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare and Gov Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, accompanied by the full compliments of the State Executive Council and other dignitaries, attended the event.
Though Rt Hon Wase and the Governor belong to different parties, the need to fasttrack development and reach the grassroots subjugated partisan considerations but emphasized the synergy to bring about development for the overall interest of citizens, while at the same time presenting a veritable partnership between the National Assembly and the State Government for the benefit for the ordinary citizens, irrespective of political differences.
At the occasion which was held in Abuja, Gov Mutfwang paid glowing tributes to the ranking APC lawmaker representing Wase Federal constituency at the hallowed Green chambers of the National Assembly, Rt Hon Idris Ahmed Wase.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hospital, promises a 100-bed capacity and was conceived to meet the orthopaedic health needs of Nigerians in the North Central Zone.
It bears restating that Rt Hon Wase initiated the establishment of the Orthopaedic Hospitals across the country which became a reality with the approval of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 leading to the establishment of three more national orthopaedic hospitals across the country in Jalingo, Taraba State (North-East); Jos, Plateau State (North Central); and one in Benin, Edo State (South-South).
While on an inspection visit to the facility in the old Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in January, Managing Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, North Central, Prof. Iche Onche, who is a consultant orthopaedic & trauma surgeon, commended the former Deputy Speaker for his foresight and commitment to healthcare.
Subsequently, the Federal Government, in August, approved the appointment of Dr Muhammad Shittu Adamu as the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Federal Medical Center, Wase.
Kachollom Daju, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, urged the new CMD to explore all necessary avenues to provide a conducive work environment and infrastructure aimed at achieving a high standard of health care.
The new FMC, according to Wase will provide facilities for diagnostic, curative, preventive and rehabilitative services in medical treatment at the same time construct, equip, maintain and operate such training schools, and similar institutions for providing the Medical Centres with appropriate staff.
The facility will also operate out-patient departments, laboratories, research or experimental stations and other similar institutions necessary for the effective functioning of the Medical Centres and at the same time, ensure that the standards of treatment and care provided at all establishments under its control and the standards of treatment and care provided for patients at those establishments are not below the required standards.
Rt Hon Wase has remained committed to creating opportunities for the teeming youths in his unflinching commitment to , not only his constituents but Nigeria in general, and fervently contributes to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in bringing government closer to the people.
With what Rt Hon Wase is doing since the current administration was inaugurated last year, it is easy for citizens to see the good intentions of the current administration and how implementable its promise of a renewed hope for the country is.
Little wonder, many are beginning to cheer up and give the benefit of doubt to the current administration in its drive to transform the lives of citizens.
Yakubu Dati can be reached at [email protected]
