By Samson Yaki and Blessing Essien
Cloud of tension and apathy hangs on National Hospital Abuja as the tenure of the Chief Medical Director, Dr Jafaru Alana Momo elapsed six months ago, precisely in February, when He clocked 60, but has obstinately clung to power against the Federal Civil Service rule.
The Federal Civil Service rule number 020810 which stipulates 60 years of age or 35 years of service as bench mark for compulsory retirement has caught up with the duo of the medical director but has shown no readiness to relinguish power any time soon.
CMD Dr Jafaru Alana Momo
In a query letter signed by the Board Chairman, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmu Etteh, the Board asked the Chief Medical Director to explain why he has not obeyed the extant rule of the Federal government public service as his tenure as CMD elapsed, having attained the age of 60 years.
In a related development, the Hospital Board also raised eyebrows over the manner the Medical Director sought and obtained approval of upward review of charges at the hospital without ratification of the Board.
According to the Board Chairman, “against the background of the responsibility of the Board to provide oversight, insight and foresight in the attainment of the hospital strategic aims, providing the leadership to put them into effect and supervising management on the business of corporate governance and the attainment of its objectives as set and pursued in the context of the social, regulatory and market environment. The Board will want to know why such a vital decision was taken without recourse to the Board”.
The Medical Director had reviewed the prices of the hospital services by 50% following the approval of the Top Management Committee if the hospital after their 123 meeting recently.
The Committee said this has become necessary as a result of COVID-19 pandemic which has reduced production and importation of goods and services.