​Lagos moves to combat doctor shortage with new Medical University

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State House of Assembly is taking a major step to address the state's healthcare needs, advancing a bill to establish a new University of Medicine and Health Sciences. A public hearing for the proposed legislation, held Wednesday at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, brought together key stakeholders to contribute to the bill.

​Presiding over the event, Deputy Speaker Hon. Merainda Lasbat underscored the importance of public input, stating that it will ensure the new, multi-campus university is a lasting and sustainable institution. Deputy Majority Leader Hon. Richard Kassumu promised that all feedback would be thoroughly reviewed and considered in the final version of the bill.

​The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, clarified that the bill goes beyond simply renaming the existing LASU College of Medicine (LASUCOM). He described the initiative as a deliberate effort to create a robust institution that will train and deploy medical and health professionals across and beyond Lagos.

​Echoing this sentiment, Professor Akin Abayomi, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, acknowledged the significant gap between Lagos's growing population and its limited number of medical professionals. He emphasized that the new university will be crucial for building human capacity within the health sector and improving the delivery of medical care. Professor Abayomi also noted that this local training will help curb the emigration of doctors, a persistent challenge in the healthcare system.

​The public hearing was well-attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including medical professionals, academics, traditional rulers, and students, all of whom had the opportunity to offer their suggestions and memorandum on the proposed university