Vice Chancellor Says Federal Medical Varsity Will Prioritise Nigerians’ Health Needs

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Abeokuta (FUMMSA), Prof. Fatiu Arogundade, on Tuesday, disclosed that the newly established institution will prioritise the National health needs of Nigerians more than any other academic endeavour in the training of its products.

With particular mention of diseases such as malaria and cancer diagnosis and treatment, Arogundade emphatically declared that FUMMSA’s coming into full operation with over 1000 students pencilled down for Matriculation tomorrow, Thursday, in Abeokuta, will significantly fill in the brain drain gap created by medical professionals who left the country in search of greener pastures.

The pioneer VC stated these yesterday in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, while fielding questions from journalists during a press conference marking the maiden matriculation of the first set of students admitted into the institution.

Flanked by the Deputy Chancellors in charge of academics and that of administration, Prof. Adebola Ogunbiyi and Prof. Adeniran Badmos, respectively, among other top management members, Arogundade emphatically declared that FUMMSA, established by the federal government across the six geo-political zones, will ultimately mark a significant improvement in the health indices of Nigeria as a departure from the past.

He described FUMMSA as a bold affirmation of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to health, knowledge, and national renewal, describing the institution’s emergence as a “marriage of science and humanity” set to address the nation’s evolving healthcare needs.

“Our vision is to become a foremost institution for medical education and research, distinguished by innovation, ethical practice, and a patient-centred approach. We aspire to train practitioners and nurture reformers: men and women who will redefine what it means to heal in a complex world”.

“By the time we produce adequate numbers, we will have the needed number of medical professionals to take care of all of us and fill the vacuum created by the brain drain”.

This university, established to train healthcare professionals and all allied healthcare professionals, will naturally be accompanied by a 500-bed hospital facility.

“It will not only alleviate disease and suffering, but the university will also assist in creating jobs for many Nigerians who are still in need of jobs”.

“It will lead to improvement in the health indices, as infant mortality and maternal mortality will improve, and the overall health indices for the entire country will improve”.

Commenting on the take-off carriage capacity of the university as it relates to the studentship, Arogundade disclosed that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gave FUMMSA approval for a sum of 1,000 students for eight (8) faculties, which formed the core medical sciences courses to be run by the institution.