THE House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the deplorable state of the Presidential Clinic on Thursday ordered the Health and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) ministries to provide a detailed account of the State House Clinic.
At the investigative hearing the committee ordered both the Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire and the FCT Health Secretary, Mrs Amanda Pam reiterated that the state House clinic is not directly under the Ministry of Health and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Responding to question raised by the Hon Aliyu Madaki led ad-hoc committee, Ehanire explained that “the fact that the clinic is not under the ministry of health does not mean it will not be taken care of.
“In taking into consideration the State House clinic ought to be designed to an extent.
“There are other agencies that are under the presidency like the National Agency for the Control of AIDS. The State House clinic fall under this category”, he said.
On whether the Clinic is licensed or accredited, the Minister said that it is assumed that the clinic is licensed, adding that hospital accreditation is something under the state, when it is applicable to state, but in the case of State House Clinic it should be under the FCT.
On who appoint doctors for the clinic and their statuses, the Minister said, “I am not aware of the status of the training of the doctors practicing in the clinic. The choice of who heads the clinic lies on the President. It is the prerogative of the President.”
Speaking further on the Clinic, Ehanire explained that the clinic is supposed to be operated along regular hospitals.
On her part, FCT Health Secretary, Pam explained further that Federal Capital Territory Administration has 16 registered hospitals, adding that the State House Clinic is not registered under the hospital’s control by the administration.
“FCTA has 16 registered hospitals. The State House Clinic is not registered among this hospital. The clinic does not fall under our purview. I don’t know who is in charge of the clinic,” the Secretary said.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Mr Aliyu, however, directed the ministers to give a detailed account of the clinic, saying “The summary of the whole thing is that the clinic is just there. It is not supervised and is not under anybody. The Ministry of Health and FCT said they are not aware, meaning the hospital is just there. I want all information on the clinic. We can’t afford to risk the lives of Mr President and somebody should be responsible”.
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Hon Kawu Sumaila, however explained that the State Clinic is being operated like the National Assembly Clinic, adding that the clinic is managed by somebody.