Kogi State Governor Inaugurates Newly Constructed Administrative Block at Federal Teaching Hospital

The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has inaugurated the newly constructed two-storey Administrative block at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja. This development comes after the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja was upgraded to the status of a Federal Teaching Hospital.

The FTH Lokoja will now serve as the training hospital for the College of Health Sciences, Federal University Lokoja (FUL). The ceremony took place in Lokoja, where the Governor commended the federal government, the hospital management, and staff for their dedication to rapidly advancing healthcare in the state.

In his address, Governor Bello emphasized the substantial progress made in the Kogi health sector over the last seven and a half years of his New Direction Administration. "We have made comprehensive upgrades to infrastructure, equipment, and human resources in all our state-owned primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities," Bello stated.

He further highlighted the administration's commitment to meeting objectives and supporting the efforts of the institution in a significant way.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, expressed gratitude to former President Buhari for upgrading the FMC Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital. Akinwunmi also commended Governor Bello for his remarkable achievements in the state's health sector and assured that the university would build upon them.

It was noted that many Kogi students seeking admission to study Medicine in other universities within the catchment area were being denied admission. As a result, the university plans to give qualified Kogi students preferential consideration in all admission processes, aiming to establish a large corps of health practitioners.

The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the College of Health Sciences, FUL, would admit its first set of BSc. Nursing students this year. Additionally, the Faculty of Pharmacy is set to begin classes in the first quarter of 2024, further expanding the educational opportunities in the state.

Dr. Zakari Usman, the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, commended the FTH Lokoja's management for consistent progress and their role in complementing the state government's efforts to provide quality healthcare services to the people of Kogi. He appreciated the FTH Lokoja for their collaborative initiatives and requested the institution to send residents for external postings to enhance skill development.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of FTH Lokoja, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, expressed the need for increased space to optimize staff performance, leading to the construction of the new Administrative block. He also acknowledged the state government's unwavering support and collaboration, particularly in personnel training, logistics, and provision of consumables.

Furthermore, the CMD called for the governor's support in providing a Coastal bus, CT Scan machines, and transformers for improved power supply at the hospital.

In attendance were dignitaries such as the Provost College of Health Sciences, FUL, Prof. Mike Ogirima, and the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Bernard Ododo, among others.

The event culminated in the official commissioning of the two-storey Administrative block by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade, on behalf of Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-07-28 News

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