By Joke Kujenya
THE FEDERAL Government has revealed it is intensifying efforts to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare system by targeting the enrollment of 100,000 nurses by the end of 2024.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, announced this ambitious goal during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Plateau State Government.
This agreement facilitates the upgrade of General Hospital Wase to Federal Medical Centre Wase and the establishment of the National Orthopedic Hospital Jos.
The FG notes that it had already enrolled 65,000 nurses in nursing schools nationwide as Alausa emphasized the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure in Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) to meet this target.
Each FMC in the country is mandated to establish nursing schools, with one set to be built at FMC Wase which is why this initiative aims to provide accessible, qualitative, and affordable healthcare services, thereby reducing both physical and financial burdens on Nigerians, he said.
He also expressed gratitude to various states for their support and highlighted recent discussions with Lagos State regarding the conversion of its College of Medicine to the University of Health Science, which will admit 500 medical students in its first academic session starting in September.
Ogun and Kwara states have also shown interest in developing similar partnerships.
The Minister lauded Plateau State’s Executive Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for his role in ensuring a smooth takeover process and assured him of the ministry’s continued support.
The upgraded facilities are expected to deliver high-quality healthcare services to Plateau State and its surrounding areas, as well as create employment opportunities for the local population as Dr. Alausa encouraged further collaborative efforts between the state and federal governments.
Governor Mutfwang lauded the Federal Government’s initiatives and acknowledged the importance of the takeover in improving healthcare access and quality not only for Plateau State but also for neighbouring regions.
He pledged the state’s continued support for federal efforts and urged the government to address the concerns of students in the Department of Dentistry at the University of Jos.
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