PMB approves upgrade of FMC, Lokoja to Teaching Hospital
President Mohammadu Buhari has approved the upgrade and the take over of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja to Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Professor Akinwumi Olayemi made the official disclosure at a joint press conference on the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre to the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja held at the Adankolo Campus of the University.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the President in a letter of approval signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation approved the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre to a Teaching Hospital status.
He said: ”The University was aware of the enormity of the cost implication of establishing Medicine and Surgery especially in terms of adequate and qualified professionals, availability of Teaching Hospital, Functional Laboratories, Hostels, Library and so on. This was the reason that the Management of the University approached the Management of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja (FMC) to seek collaboration and conversion of the Medical Centre to Teaching Hospital. The Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja (FMC) is to provide the training of Medical and Premedical students of the College and in addition, Laboratories and Clinics.
“Consequent upon the above understanding between the University and Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja (FMC), a Bill for the conversion/upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja to a Teaching Hospital was sponsored by Distinguished Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the 9th Senate. The Bill was passed into Law by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Tuesday, 21st June, 2022. On 10th February, 2023, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State to Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State vide letter referenced SGF6/T4/380.
”I wish to convey the approval of President Mohammadu Buhari‘s approval for the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja”, he added.
Akinwumi expressed profound appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, the SGF Boss Mustapha and all the parties that made the upgrade a successful one.
He however assured that the elevation of the Medical Centre into a Teaching Hospital status will in so many ways increase the effectiveness of the institution.
He said: “Let me assure you, that it is our determination to ensure that our Medical College becomes one of the best in Nigeria. We are indeed poised to attract the best Medical Academics to the Federal University Lokoja College of Health Sciences. I am also aware of the competencies of the Consultants at the Teaching Hospital.
The combination of these competencies and seasoned Medical Academics will no doubt, produce all round medical graduates that will fill the yawning gap that exists in the Health sector of not only Kogi State but Nigeria”.
In his remark, the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre now Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Dr Alabi Olatunji assured that the hospital will partner with the university to produce competent medical doctors that will attend to the health needs of Nigerians.
