The Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal Medical Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (SB. 355), which seeks to establish the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, who represents the Kaduna South Senatorial District, was first presented to the Senate on February 21, 2024.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had graciously approved the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre even before the legislative processes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives were completed.
The bill will now proceed to a conference committee comprising members of both chambers for concurrence before being transmitted to the President for assent.
Reacting to the passage, Senator Katung described it as a “major turnaround” for a region that has long grappled with inadequate access to quality healthcare services.
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He stated, “The new FMC will help reduce the burden of long-distance travel for specialist medical care, which often leads to delayed treatments and preventable deaths.”
According to Senator Katung, the new FMC is expected not only to strengthen healthcare infrastructure but also to stimulate economic development in Southern Kaduna.
He said the centre will create both direct and indirect jobs, attract healthcare professionals, promote research and training, and improve overall public health outcomes.
Senator Katung expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and his fellow Senators for their support in advancing the bill.
“This is a critical step toward equity in federal healthcare infrastructure. It reflects my commitment and desire to attract meaningful development to Southern Kaduna and ensure our people’s needs are addressed at the national level,” he said.
The Senate’s passage of the bill marks a significant milestone toward the smooth takeoff of the medical centre.
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