Posted on: Fri 23-05-2025

In a significant stride toward addressing the long-standing healthcare gaps in Nigeria’s North East, the Senate on Wednesday passed the Federal Medical Centre (Amendment) Bill, paving the way for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Gembu, Taraba State.

Spearheaded by Senator Haruna Manu, who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District, the bill seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act, 2022, by adding FMC Gembu to the list of federally recognized medical institutions. This amendment, now known as the Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s legislative efforts to expand healthcare access to underserved regions.

Senator Manu, visibly elated by the Senate’s support, hailed the passage of the bill as a long-overdue breakthrough for his constituents and the broader North East zone. “For too long, the people of Gembu and surrounding communities have endured unimaginable hardship—travelling vast distances to Jalingo, Yola, Gombe, or even across the border into Cameroon, just to access basic and emergency medical services,” he said during the plenary session. “Many lives have been lost—not for lack of faith in medicine, but because help was simply too far away.”

He emphasized that the establishment of FMC Gembu will not only save lives but also ease the crushing financial burden families currently face when seeking advanced care. “This is more than a bill,” he declared. “It is a lifeline. It is a promise fulfilled to people who have waited too long to be seen, heard, and cared for.”

Senator Manu extended his gratitude to his colleagues in the Senate for their overwhelming support, underscoring the collective will to bring equitable healthcare access to every corner of the country.

With the Senate’s green light, the bill now advances to the House of Representatives for concurrence. Upon approval by the lower chamber, it will be transmitted to the President for assent, bringing the vision of a Federal Medical Centre in Gembu one crucial step closer to reality.

If signed into law, the new centre will stand as a beacon of hope for thousands, anchoring a future where quality healthcare is not a privilege, but a right—accessible to all, regardless of geography.

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