FMC Abeokuta moves to become teaching hospital

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta has acquired 170 hectares of land worth over N2.6billion to accommodate infrastructure to ensure that it fulfills its quest to become a teaching hospital.

Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, speaking at the turning of the sod of the hospital’s University of Medicine, said it will ensure the hospital further contribute to the wellness of Ogun State citizens and remain a source of pride to the National Health System.

Dr Ehanire, noting this gesture will put the hospital on the threshold of greater things to come, declared Federal Government’s resolve that hospitals can leverage on private sector resources and management skills for their growth.

According to the Federal Government, “recognition shall be given to the leadership of such institutions that “think out of the box” and find out ways of making a difference in the collective drive to bring progress and quality healthcare to our citizen’s doorsteps.”

Dr Ehanire said medical workers’ strike damage the image of hospitals, urging the striking workers to resume work and return to the dialogue table.

He said: “we have an obligation in all our various health institutions to restore confidence in our National Health System, by so doing our bid to reduce medical tourism to the barest minimum. Medical workers’ strike damage the image of hospitals”

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said the University of Medicine when in full operation will help bridge a gap that the hospital’s management had seen in its operations.

The governor, who stated that health, is very important, and when the University of Medicine fully takes off it will complement the state government’s effort at providing health care in the state.

According to him, health was an important cardinal programme of the state government, and so the state government had been foremost in ensuring functional Primary Healthcare centres in the state.

He assured of his continuous support to the establishment of the University of Medicine, urging the Federal Government to ensure it becomes functional very soon. At the occasion to also commemorate the hospital’s 25 years anniversary, FMC’s Medical Director, Professor Adewale Musa-Olomu said the University of Medicine, will be the teaching arm of the hospital, adding that it will also accommodate the expansion of FMC infrastructures such as the ultra-modern laboratories, modern mortuary, radiotherapy centre and nuclear medicine.

The construction of the University of Medicine, which will be built in phases, he said will be within the next four to five years, starting with departments of anatomy, biology, morbid anatomy, histology and physiology and later nursing and pharmacy in the second phase.

While a number of international collaborators have shown interest in supporting the take off of the University of Medicine, he appealed to philanthropists to partner with the hospital by investing in the laudable project.