By Samuel Ogunsona
The Lagos State Government has initiated the process of transforming the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) into a full-fledged Medical college.
The state says it aims to significantly develop and revolutionize healthcare education and training in Nigeria, positioning LASUCOM as a hub for medical excellence.
Speaking at the forum held recently in Ikeja, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule said the objective of the meeting was to ensure Lagos has a medical university capable of bridging the existing gap in the training of medical personnel and improving the healthcare delivery system in the state.
A source from the medical college who wants to remain anonymous told Irohinodua that the upgrade will encompass infrastructure development, curriculum enhancement, and faculty expansion, ensuring a world-class learning environment.
Sule emphasized that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to improve the capacity building of medical doctors with this new initiative, stating, “Our goal is to produce well-rounded medical professionals equipped to address Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.”
In his submissions, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi said the state is blessed with enough health and medical infrastructures and facilities to run a successful university of medicine.
In a similar vein, the Provost of Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Professor Abiodun Adewuya assured of qualified personnel who are well motivated and enthusiastic to make the upcoming stand-alone University of Medicine a pride for the state and Nigeria in terms of professionalism and standards.
Other stakeholders at the meeting, assured the state government of their ministries’ readiness, support and cooperation for the multi-campuses University of Medical and Health Sciences which is billed to commence admission in the 2024/2025 session, considering the number of existing qualified medical staff and facilities abounding in all divisions of the state for a successful take-off.
The staKholders meeting was part of the intellectuals and professionals’ engagement carefully planned by the Ministries of Tertiary Education, Health and LASUCOM as a strategy towards exploring empirical and practical knowledge for the successful take-off of the Multi-Campuses University of Medicine and Health Sciences that will meet the medical needs of the state, Nigeria through the provision of healthcare to illuminate and dissect the causes, effect and dimensions of medical issues that reflect our state and national medical needs.