In a decisive step towards addressing the persistent challenge of brain drain in the healthcare sector, the Lagos State Government has unveiled ambitious plans to establish the University of Health and Medical Sciences by the end of 2024. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this groundbreaking announcement during the inauguration ceremony of the Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital in Surulere, Lagos.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the establishment of the medical university is a result of a strategic collaboration between the state government and the Federal Ministry of Health. This move, he said, aims to significantly boost the production of healthcare professionals, positioning Lagos State as a model to be replicated nationwide.
According to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa, the medical university will integrate all general hospitals in the state as teaching hospitals, following the practices of the United Kingdom and the United States. This integration will lead to a substantial increase in annual enrollment, with a target of admitting 2,000-2,500 medical students, along with 3,500 nurses, physiotherapists, biomedical engineers, and other allied healthcare professionals.
Mr. Alausa explained that the Federal Government's objective is to replicate this successful model in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The strategic expansion is designed to address the brain drain challenge by enhancing the production of medical staff and allied healthcare professionals across the nation.
During the inauguration, Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke passionately about the initiative's purpose, stating, "We cannot sit back and fold our arms as a government that cannot intervene. We will lead the pack, and we hope that other states will take the initiative to set up similar universities to produce more doctors every year." He underscored the state's commitment to providing the necessary resources and interventions to retain the best talent in the country.
The move comes at a critical time when Nigeria has experienced a significant exodus of healthcare professionals, particularly doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to developed countries. With a doctor-patient ratio over five times worse than the World Health Organization's recommendation, Nigeria has been losing hundreds of doctors annually to brain drain, a considerable portion of them finding opportunities in the United Kingdom. Disturbing statistics reveal that over 5,000 Nigerian medical doctors have migrated to the UK between 2015 and 2022.
As the Lagos State Government takes this bold step, the establishment of the University of Health and Medical Sciences holds the promise of not only addressing the immediate challenges but also serving as a beacon for other states to follow suit, ultimately transforming the healthcare landscape of the entire nation.
