In a big move for healthcare and education, President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for a new teaching hospital in Akure, Ondo State. This hospital is planned to support the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), specifically its medical and health sciences programs. The teaching hospital will not only help train future healthcare professionals but will also boost medical services in the region.
The President instructed the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammad Pate, to begin the necessary steps to make this hospital a reality. Following the President’s approval, Prof. Pate sent a team to Ondo State to inspect the proposed location for the 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.
Dr. Jimoh Olawole Salaudeen, the Director of Hospital Services at the Federal Ministry of Health, led the team on their visit. They reviewed FUTA’s main campus, where the permanent hospital will be built, and also checked the Akure Annex of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), which will serve as a temporary site for the hospital while construction is underway.
“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.”
After the visit, Dr. Salaudeen shared his optimism about the project’s speedy progress, saying that President Tinubu is eager to see Akure have a federal teaching hospital soon. Prof. Oladiji, representing FUTA, added that FUTA’s expertise in biomedical engineering will strengthen the new school of health sciences and support the creation of essential medical equipment.
