The Lagos State Government revealed its forthcoming establishment of a medical university aimed at bolstering the training of healthcare professionals and mitigating the issue of brain drain in the health sector. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this during the inauguration of the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital in Surulere.
Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted the significance of the medical university, emphasising its pivotal role in escalating healthcare training. He stated, “This is strategic for us… an opportunity to announce another bold initiative that we would be pursuing in the course of this year.”
The university, set to launch in collaboration with the Federal Government before the close of 2024, aims to significantly upscale healthcare training, addressing the shortage of skilled personnel. Sanwo-Olu emphasised its role in generating between 1,000 to 1,500 doctors annually, intending to curb the trend of medical practitioners leaving the country.
He underlined the need to provide top-notch facilities to retain local talent, stating, “We are not going to stop at ensuring that we provide the best facilities to be able to retain our best talents here.”
Commending Femi Gbajabiamila for facilitating the inauguration of the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged its significant role in enhancing healthcare accessibility.
In his address, Gbajabiamila emphasised the hospital’s importance in offering quality healthcare in a populous metropolis like Lagos. He credited it as an addition to the state government’s efforts in the healthcare domain and highlighted its equipped facilities for the benefit of Surulere residents.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, expressed gratitude to Gbajabiamila for delivering the project, foreseeing improved healthcare accessibility. Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun also praised Gbajabiamila’s efforts, acknowledging his consistent impact through various ambitious projects in Surulere.
The event saw the inauguration of several other significant projects facilitated by Gbajabiamila, including the Sam Shonibare Community Development Centre, Dualised Babs Animashaun Road, and the Census Bridge.
