Federal Medical Centre Onitsha holds leadership retreat to strengthen service delivery, accountability

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Sunny A. David, Awka

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Onitsha, has organised a one-day leadership retreat for its Heads of Department as part of efforts to improve service delivery, enhance accountability, and promote patient-centred healthcare.

The retreat, coordinated by the hospital’s SERVICOM Unit, brought together senior departmental leaders for a strategic engagement aimed at reorienting leadership towards improved public service standards.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Onitsha, Dr. Mercy Anugwu, reaffirmed that SERVICOM remains the Federal Government’s key framework for ensuring transparent, fair, and responsive service delivery across public institutions.

She emphasised that healthcare facilities carry a heightened responsibility, given their critical role in saving lives.

“This retreat is more than a routine meeting; it is an opportunity for reflection, reorientation, and renewal of our collective commitment to service excellence,” Dr. Anugwu stated.

She acknowledged the progress made by the hospital in clinical services and patient experience but stressed that sustained improvement requires collective responsibility and collaboration across all departments.

The guest speaker, Dr. Dubem Onyejiaka, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, delivered a detailed presentation on the principles and structure of SERVICOM.

He explained that the initiative was established to address inefficiencies commonly associated with public institutions, including tertiary healthcare facilities.

According to him, long standing public concerns such as delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, poor staff attitude, unofficial charges, and lack of accountability necessitated the introduction of SERVICOM.

He urged departmental heads to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and renewed commitment to service delivery.

Also speaking, the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Thyword Agu, commended the significant transformation recorded under the current hospital management and encouraged Heads of Department to provide exemplary leadership within their units.

The SERVICOM Nodal Officer, Dr. Obinna Ajaegbu, presented a performance review of the unit, outlining achievements and identifying areas requiring further improvement.

In her vote of thanks, the SERVICOM Principal Officer, Mrs. Chisom Igboka, expressed appreciation to the hospital management, facilitators, and participants for contributing to a successful and impactful retreat.