News
Taraba FMC refutes claims of severe drug shortage
By Francesca Hangeior
The management of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State, has dismissed recent media reports alleging a severe drug shortage at the hospital.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by Haruna Abubakar of the hospital’s Press and Protocol Department, the FMC management reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the availability of drugs and the delivery of quality healthcare services.
Abubakar acknowledged that while the hospital has faced some supply chain challenges, the situation was not as dire as portrayed in certain media reports.
“When this administration took over nearly five years ago, we inherited a significant debt related to drug supplies. Since then, we have remained proactive in settling outstanding payments to ensure uninterrupted drug availability for our patients.
“Our budget has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Finance, and we anticipate a resolution to these challenges by the end of March 2025,” the statement read.
The hospital management also reassured the public of its strong working relationship with pharmaceutical vendors, despite alleged attempts to undermine its efforts.
It added that the hospital is actively engaging with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve access to medications for enrollees.
“We are fully operational, with essential medications available. We urge members of the public, journalists, and stakeholders to visit the hospital’s pharmacy and wards, including the Accident and Emergency unit, to independently verify the facts,” the statement added.
While noting that no hospital globally can guarantee the availability of all drugs at all times, the management assured patients that necessary medications are stocked.
Where certain drugs are unavailable, patients are advised to source them externally, which it described as a standard practice worldwide.
“FMC Jalingo is not in the business of providing free drugs but remains committed to ensuring affordable and accessible medications for all patients.
“NHIS enrollees continue to receive prescribed drugs within the coverage framework, and we take pride in maintaining the highest standards of medical service delivery,” it stated.
The hospital management urged the public to be wary of sensationalised reports that do not reflect the true situation at FMC Jalingo, stressing that its top priority remains the well-being of patients.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of One Hundred And Ten Billion Naira (N110bn) to be shared to 18 universities. The move according to pundits is to boost medical education following the recent ‘japa’ trend of doctors and other health workers.
Each university will receive about N4 billion, including N750 million for hostel construction, to support eight simulation labs across the zones and increase enrolment in medical sciences.
The 18 universities benefiting from the N110bn grant are:
1. Nnamdi Azikiwe University
2. Bayelsa State University
3. University of Lagos
4. Ahmadu Bello University
5. University of Benin
6. Imo State University
7. University of Ibadan
8. University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
9. Benue State University
10. Umaru Musa Yaradua University
11. University of Nigeria
12. University of Calabar
13. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University
14. University of Jos
15. University of Ilorin
16. Gombe State University
17. Usmanu Danfodio University
18. University of Maiduguri
This initiative is designed to improve infrastructure in medical schools through the rehabilitation of lecture theatres and laboratory facilities, thereby enhancing capacity to take in and produce more doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists for the nation.
The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has issued a six-week notice to unregistered businesses to register with the Commission.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the CAC on Tuesday, titled: “PUBLIC NOTICE: CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN NIGERIA UNDER AN UNREGISTERED NAME OR ACRONYM.”
In the statement, the CAC said failure to comply with the notice will attract a jail term or prosecution.
The commission informed the general public that it is a criminal offence under Section 863 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, to carry on business in Nigeria as a company, limited liability partnership, limited partnership, or under a business name without registration. It is also an offence to operate under a name (or acronym) other than the one registered under the Act.
The public was further advised that Section 729 of the Act requires every registered company to display its registered name and registration number at every business location.
“In addition, the company is required to state its registered name and registration number on all its official publications, including letterheads, signage, marketing, and publicity materials,” the statement added.
The CAC emphasised that non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in prosecution and a conviction that carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.
The statement continued: “In particular, the general public should note the provisions of Section 862 (1) of the Act, which state that any person who, in any document required under the Act (including the aforementioned official publications of a company), knowingly makes a false statement in any material respect commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of two years, in addition to a daily fine imposed on the company for every day the offence continues.”
In light of the above, the CAC stressed that all companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, and business name proprietors must comply with the provisions of the Act within six weeks of this notice.
Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions, including prosecution, the CAC stressed.
The Federal Government has declared Thursday, May 1, 2025, as a public holiday in commemoration of Workers’ Day.
This was announced in a press statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Aishetu Ndayako, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, conveyed the declaration, emphasising the importance of excellence, efficiency, and fairness in labour.
Tunji-Ojo reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to fostering innovation, productivity, and inclusivity in workplaces.
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