- It will be difficult to attract doctors and nurses to this remote location, he remarked
The Lagos State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Saheed Babajide, has criticised the recent conversion of the General Hospital, Epe, into a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) by the Federal Government. He argues that the upgrade could disadvantage the local population by limiting their access to state healthcare services.
In an exclusive interview, Dr Babajide expressed concerns that the transformation of the hospital would deprive Epe residents of certain benefits available through the state’s healthcare system. “The shift means they will no longer have access to the Lagos state health system, as the facility will now be controlled from Abuja,” he stated. He argued that the arrangement would exclude Epe’s residents from receiving services previously offered at the state level.
The controversy follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed last Thursday by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which formally handed over Epe General Hospital to the Federal Government. The facility has since been renamed Federal Medical Centre, Epe, making it the second FMC in Lagos State.
The establishment of the new FMC is part of the Federal Government’s recent move to ease the burden on existing health facilities and progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage. Two other FMCs were simultaneously created in Misau, Bauchi State, and Ikole-Ekiti, Ekiti State, bringing the total number of FMCs nationwide to 26.
Despite the Federal Government’s initiative, Babajide argued that the upgrade could disrupt healthcare access for vulnerable residents. He highlighted the discontinuation of free medical care for children and the elderly, a policy unique to state-owned health facilities. “With the conversion, those benefits will no longer be available. The Federal Government does not have a policy that provides free health services for these groups,” he noted.
Dr Babajide also questioned the rationale behind transforming a well-functioning general hospital that had been making strides in specialty care. He suggested that rather than converting it into an FMC, the government should have focused on developing and expanding the existing facility while establishing a separate FMC.
Concerns over staffing and operations were also raised, as Dr Babajide questioned how existing employees of the former General Hospital, Epe, would transition to the new federal structure. He cast doubt on whether their salaries for the final quarter of the year would be met, as the facility’s reclassification was not accounted for in the 2024 budget.
Additionally, the NMA chairman pointed out the logistical challenges posed by the hospital’s location. “Epe is a suburban area, unlike FMC Ebute-Metta, which is centrally located. It will be difficult to attract doctors and nurses to this remote location,” he remarked, citing potential complications arising from the ongoing industrial expansion around the Dangote Refinery.
Addressing broader health policy concerns, Dr Babajide criticised the proliferation of medical schools across Nigeria amidst a worsening brain drain crisis. He argued that the move could exacerbate the emigration of doctors and health workers, making the government an “exporter of doctors” at a time when the nation is struggling with a depleted healthcare workforce.
“The government will end up losing the investment it has made in subsidising medical education. Families and the state will suffer as more doctors leave for opportunities abroad,” he said. Dr Babajide urged the government to prioritise solutions that address the root causes of the migration trend, calling for systemic reforms to improve conditions in the health sector.