The management of Salem University Lokoja has ainitiated discussions with the Kogi State government, specifically through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, regarding the potential designation of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja as a teaching hospital. This partnership aims to facilitate the establishment of a Faculty of Medical Sciences dedicated to training programs in medicine and surgery training.
The dialogue was led by the Vice-Chancellor of Salem University, Professor Alowo Akubo, alongside the Registrar, Dr. Adejoh Emmanuel at a meeting held earlier at the conference hall of the Ministry of Health. The meeting was further enriched by the participation of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, who engaged with the university representatives in an interactive session, he. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, as well as heads of various agencies and parastatals under the State Ministry of Health.
Central to the discussions was the proposal to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would grant Salem University access to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital as its teaching facility for a period of ten years. This proposal was met with enthusiasm by Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza and other agency heads present at the meeting.
The session, which was officially opened by the Commissioner for Health, also included notable attendees such as the state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Aziz Steven Momoh; the Chief Medical Director of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Folagbade Oluseyi; the Executive Secretary of the State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aledare Adekunle; and the Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muazu Omeiza Musa. Additional participants include Dr. Ayo Olayemi, Medical Director of the State Hospital Management Board; Pharmacist Ibrahim Salamat, Executive Secretary of the State Medical Store Management Agency; Dr. Barnabas Segun, Director of Medical Services at the Ministry of Health; Mr. Johnson Ayedogbon, Director of Research and Documentation; and Dr. Ojotule Augustine, State Epistemologist. During the meeting, the Honourable Commissioner for Health emphasized the commitment of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration to train homegrown medical doctors from state-owned universities. This initiative aims to address the pressing shortage of qualified medical professionals in state health facilities. The Commissioner highlighted the administration’s concerted efforts to enhance the availability of medical professionals through the accreditation of medical sciences faculties at state tertiary institutions, specifically in Ayingba and the Confluence University of Technology in Osara
He noted that the administration successfully secured accreditation for both universities to offer medical sciences programs, ensuring that the necessary facilities are in place for the effective delivery of these programs. Furthermore, the Commissioner welcomed the collaboration with Salem University, expressing the state’s eagerness to partner in producing competent healthcare professionals. To facilitate this collaboration, the Commissioner outlined the process for generating a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would allow Salem University to utilize the specialist hospital as a teaching facility. He indicated that this MOU would be developed by the Office of the Attorney General of Kogi State and would require the signature of the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State.
This meeting marks a significant step towards strengthening the healthcare workforce in
Kogi State, ensuring that the community has access to qualified medical professionals who can provide high-quality medical services.
Ealier, in his remarks, the state Commissioner for Education Honourable Wemi Jones says the proposal is a significant step towards enhancing the education system of the state through the contributions from the private sector, He expressed optimism about the proposed partnership would have positive impact on the medical and health sector of the state especially in the provision of human resources