In a significant step towards advancing healthcare and medical education in the state, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration has initiated discussions on the establishment of a stand-alone medical university.
The meeting, convened by the Lagos State Ministries of Tertiary Education, Health, and the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed institution.
Speaking at the forum held recently in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, emphasized the importance of the new university in addressing the existing gaps in the training of medical personnel and improving the state’s healthcare delivery system.
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“The objective of this meeting is to ensure Lagos has a medical university capable of bridging the existing gap in the training of medical personnel and enhancing the healthcare delivery system in the state,” said Sule. He further reiterated the commitment of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration to elevate the standards of medical education and healthcare in Lagos to align with global best practices.
Despite the significant investments made by the state government in LASUCOM, Sule noted that the institution continues to face challenges due to the growing population, increasing student admissions, healthcare demands, infrastructure expansion, and the emigration of health workers. “We need to explore empirical solutions and practical knowledge to ensure the successful takeoff of the University of Medicine and Health Sciences, which will meet the medical needs of our state and the country at large,” Sule urged.
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The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, also expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to establish a successful medical university, citing the existing health and medical infrastructures. “Lagos State is blessed with enough health and medical infrastructures to run a successful university of medicine,” Abayomi stated.
Echoing this sentiment, the Provost of LASUCOM, Professor Abiodun Adewuya, assured that the institution has qualified and motivated personnel eager to contribute to the success of the proposed university. “We have the personnel who are well motivated and enthusiastic to make this university a pride for Lagos State and Nigeria in terms of professionalism and standards,” Adewuya affirmed.
The stakeholders at the meeting expressed their readiness to support the multi-campus University of Medical and Health Sciences, which is expected to commence admissions in the 2024/2025 academic session. They emphasized the importance of leveraging the state’s existing qualified medical staff and facilities for the university’s successful launch.