The Federal Government has sanctioned the creation of a teaching hospital in Akure, Ondo State, aimed at bolstering the medical training programs at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).
OsunDailyNG reports that President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, to proceed with the arrangements for this new facility.
In response, Prof. Pate dispatched a team to evaluate the designated location in Ondo State.
Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Jimoh Olawole Salaudeen, led the team’s inspection of FUTA’s permanent campus site allocated for the hospital.
The team also assessed the Akure Annex of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), which will act as a temporary location for FUTA’s teaching hospital.
In a statement following the visit, Dr. Salaudeen expressed confidence in the project’s swift launch, saying, “President Tinubu directed that Akure should have a federal teaching hospital.
“We are here to coordinate with the state government and review the site options for establishing the teaching hospital.”
Dr. Salaudeen emphasized the project’s urgency, pointing out that FUTA’s medical students, now in their third year, will soon need practical training facilities.
“The state government has provided a temporary site, and we are pleased with the infrastructure at the permanent site, including an auditorium, health center, and classrooms.
“Our goal is to identify equipment needs at the temporary site to create a model federal tertiary hospital that supports student training. The enthusiastic support from the community is encouraging and will facilitate a peaceful learning environment,” he noted.
Ondo State’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Banji Ajaka, reiterated the state’s commitment to the project, aligning with the president’s vision.
“We have drafted an MOU and laid groundwork for the medical students to complete their training on schedule,” Ajaka said.
FUTA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, expressed relief, remarking, “We’ve been concerned about where our medical students would complete their clinical studies. I’m thrilled that the federal government has stepped in to provide a solution.”
Prof. Oladiji also emphasized FUTA’s strength in biomedical engineering, which she believes will enhance the school of health sciences by producing essential medical equipment.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to training future health professionals and engineers who can innovate and support the healthcare sector,” she concluded.
