We Will Oppose Plans To Shut Down Private Hospitals In Imo State, Says Dr. Phillip Njemanze

NJEMANZE

Radical Surgeon and Pro lifer, Dr. Phillip Njemanze has accused the Imo State Government of planning to shut down private hospitals operating in Imo State.

Njemanze, who is the Chairman, Association of Catholic Medical Doctors of Nigeria, Imo State chapter, told INNONEWS  that the planned closure of private hospitals is coming under the guise of new terms of renewal for operating private hospitals recently handed out to private medical practitioners in Imo State by the State Government.


He said the plan will be strongly opposed and called on the Imo State House of Assembly to intervene in the matter.  Njemanze, reputed to be a strong critic of the Imo State Governor, said the renewal is a ploy to cripple the functions of the private hospitals in the State and compel the citizenry to flood to government owned hospitals which is in dilapidated state and condition.

He said the 27 General hospitals constructed by the State Government are yet to be completed and yet to to be equipped wondering how the State government intends to attend to the health needs of the people if such policy is carried out. He said most government hospitals in the State are in comatose condition and lack adequate health personnel to meet the health demands of the people.

Njemanze said the plan has been reported to the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA which took the matter to the Senate Committee on Health on December 16, 2015.

 Imo State is yet to appoint a commissioner of Health.  However, Njemanze’s claims was however faulted by a top official of the State Ministry of Health who spoke to this Newspaper. The official said there was no plan to close down private hospitals in the State describing Njemanze's claims as untrue and unfounded.He refused to give further details.

In 2013, Dr. Njemanze accused the Imo State Government of "smuggling" legalizing abortion in Imo State in LAW 12 of the State.  His allegation caused an uproar in the State which forced Governor Okorocha to ask the then House of Assembly to review the law.