By DAYO ADESULU
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a teaching hospital in Akure, Ondo State, to support the training of medical students at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA). The initiative, authorized by President Bola Tinubu, aims to enhance the medical education infrastructure in the state and provide a critical training facility for students.
President Tinubu has tasked the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, with spearheading the project. Prof. Pate responded by dispatching a team from the Federal Ministry of Health to assess potential sites in Ondo State.
Inspection of Permanent and Temporary Sites for the New Teaching Hospital
The assessment team, led by Dr. Jimoh Olawole Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services, inspected FUTA’s designated permanent site for the hospital. Dr. Salaudeen also reviewed the facilities at the Akure Annex of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), which will serve as a temporary location until the permanent facility is operational.
After inspecting the sites, Dr. Salaudeen expressed confidence in the project’s timely launch, emphasizing available resources and infrastructure that could facilitate an expedited opening. “President Tinubu’s directive reflects a commitment to medical education in Akure,” Dr. Salaudeen said. “We are coordinating closely with the state government to move the project forward.”
Urgent Need to Support FUTA’s Growing Medical Program
The project has taken on added urgency, as FUTA’s medical program is now in its third year. The university requires a teaching hospital to support students’ clinical training. Dr. Salaudeen noted that the temporary site provided by the state government offers key infrastructure, including an auditorium, health center, and classrooms. “Our goal is to equip this site with the necessary resources to create a model tertiary hospital for student training,” he added, acknowledging the strong community support as a positive influence for the project.
Ondo State’s Commitment to Supporting the Hospital
Ondo State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, affirmed the state’s commitment to the teaching hospital. He emphasized that the project aligns with the president’s vision for enhancing healthcare infrastructure. “An MOU is already in place, and we are working to ensure FUTA’s medical students complete their training on time,” Dr. Ajaka explained.
FUTA’s Vice Chancellor Welcomes Federal Government Support
Prof. Adenike Oladiji, FUTA’s Vice Chancellor, expressed relief and gratitude at the government’s intervention. “This teaching hospital addresses our concern about where our medical students will complete their clinical studies. The federal government’s involvement provides a timely solution,” she said.
Prof. Oladiji also emphasized FUTA’s commitment to innovation through its biomedical engineering department, which aims to develop essential medical equipment for the teaching hospital. “Our biomedical engineering department will play a key role in supporting the hospital and our broader mission to educate future healthcare professionals and engineers who can innovate within the medical field,” she added.
Key Takeaways
The new teaching hospital will bolster medical education in Ondo State, providing hands-on clinical training for FUTA students and meeting the region’s healthcare needs. With President Tinubu’s backing, the project reflects a commitment to educational and healthcare advancements, set to impact the community and future medical practitioners positively.
