Nasarawa State Government has donated 160 beds capacity model hospital to the Federal University of Lafia.
Handing over the hospital to the management of the university in Lafia, Governor Sule said the donation was aimed at boosting the capacity of the institution for human capital development.
He explained that the project was started by the immediate past administration of Umaru Al-Makura in the state as part of the State Government support towards the establishment of the School of Medicine by the University.
“This Hospital is expected to serve as the Teaching Hospital for students of the Medical School of the University.
“This is in tandem with the determination of our Administration to prioritize and strengthen the health care system of the State, considering the fact that the achievement of an industrialized State is contingent upon a healthy population.
“I need to reiterate that Government will continue to support the University in the training of medical personnel who will handle the issue of healthcare delivery.
“It is obvious that there is a general shortage of human resource for the health sector in the country hence the establishment of the Medical School by the Federal University to encourage our youths to take up the Medical Vocation,” the governor said.
While noting that the government would continue to support the university, the Governor appealed to the management to give at least 50 percent of its Medical School admissions to qualified indigenes of the Nasarawa State.
Governor Sule called on the host community where the edifice is located to embrace this development, and ensure its safety for the benefit of members of the public.
Earlier, Ahmed Yahaya, Commissioner of Health said the edifice was awarded for over N1.2 billion and over N800 million had been spend so far by the state government.
He explained that the model hospital has 160 beds capacity with offices and other facilities to serve as Teaching Hospital for the federal university of Lafia.
Responding, Prof. Sanusi Liman, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university expressed gratitude to the Nasarawa State Government for the donation and other support since the institution was established in 2011.
He stated that the university would not forget the support given thus far by the state government and requested for more.
“I assured you that the indigenes of the state would get more than 50 percent admission chances in medical sciences and other facilities,” the VC assured.
The VC however, requested that the government should further renovate the structure and acquire more land for full commencement of the facility.
Prof. Liman also appealed to Governor Sule to use his position to appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to approve a Teaching Hospital in the state as it would go a long way to attract federal government attention.