Tunji Alausa’s Initiative, Lagos State University Of Health and Medical Sciences, Launches

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State University of Health and Medical Sciences, a brainchild of Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has launched.

According to a statement issued by the minister’s office on Wednesday, the launch is part of a comprehensive set of initiatives that he planned.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the university’s launch on Tuesday in the company of Dr. Alausa.

The university is a result of strategic collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Government.

The health minister’s office said the health and medical sciences’ university is aimed at significantly increasing the production of healthcare workers throughout the year.

“Lagos State is poised as a model, and the goal is to extend this initiative nationwide to tackle the persistent issue of medical migration,” the statement reads in part.

The health ministry noted that the varsity will integrate all general hospitals in Lagos as teaching hospitals, aligning with practices in the United Kingdom and the United States.

It revealed that this move will ensure a “substantial increase” in annual enrollment of healthcare workers.

“The University of Health and Medical Sciences will integrate all general hospitals in the state as teaching hospitals, aligning with practices in the United Kingdom and the United States,” the ministry said.

“This approach allows for a substantial increase in annual enrollment, with the university targeting the admission of 2,000-2,500 medical students, along with 3,500 nurses, 500 physiotherapists, biomedical engineers, and other allied healthcare professionals.”

Meanwhile, the federal government disclosed that the Lagos State Government plans to now enroll over 10,000 medical students over the next five years, a significant leap from the current yearly intake of 800-600 students.

The health ministry commended Sanwo-Olu and Lagos Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi for their commitment to the initiative, steadily increasing health human resources.

“The Federal Government’s overarching objective is to replicate this successful model in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Minister Alausa’s office added.

“This strategic expansion aims to enhance the production of medical staff and allied healthcare professionals nationwide, effectively addressing the challenge of brain drain in the healthcare workforce.”

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