BY: JOSHUA ADINOYI
Following the upgrade of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) to Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, the Managements of the Institution and the Federal University Lokoja, held a Joint Press Conference to discuss on way forward for the new development.
The Press Conference was held at the Conference Hall, Adankolo Campus of the University in Lokoja.
Addressing Journalists and Management team of the two Institutions, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, expressed joy over the upgrade as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The University Don explained that there are about eighty thousand registered Medical Practitioners in Nigeria but only about forty thousand are practicing in the Country – according to statistics, describing such development as inadequate, worrisome and unacceptable.
The historian said the University is prepared for the new phase, saying that the Institution is poised to attract the best Medical Academics to the University College of Health Sciences.
He praised President Buhari for accenting to the Bill to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre FMC Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, noting that it has further brought succour to the health needs of the people.
On his part, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Lokoja, Dr. Olatunde Alabi, said the health Institution has all the required facility and equipment to train medical students, saying that the required patience are also available.
While appreciating the Federal Government for the approval of the Upgrade, he said the collaboration between the Teaching Hospital and the FUL will go a long way at equipping the young ones with the capacity to solve global health challenges.
Similarly, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Mike Ozovehe Ogirima, said he is overwhelmed with joy over the news of the upgrade, stressing that the dreams of prospective medical practitioners will be easily achieved through the platform.
The duo of the CMD and the VC, also fielded questions from Journalists at the Press Conference.
