The Federal Government has commenced taking strategic steps to enhance human resources for health, focusing on increasing and upscaling the number of healthcare professionals.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, announced that the government aims to enrol 100,000 nurses by the end of 2024, leveraging existing infrastructure in Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) across the country.
Dr Alausa made this announcement during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Plateau government for the takeover and upgrade of General Hospital Wase to Federal Medical Centre Wase and National Orthopedic Hospital Jos. The event took place in Abuja.
The Minister revealed that 65,000 nurses have already been enrolled in nursing schools nationwide.
He emphasized that all FMCs in Nigeria are mandated to establish nursing schools within their facilities, including a new one to be situated at FMC Wase.
He said the move is part of the government’s broader initiative to reduce the physical and financial burdens on Nigerians by providing accessible, qualitative, and affordable healthcare services.
Dr. Alausa expressed gratitude to state governments for their support and cooperation.
He highlighted recent discussions with Lagos State to convert its College of Medicine to the University of Health Science, which will admit 500 medical students at the start of the academic session in September.
According to him, similar partnerships are being developed with Ogun and Kwara states.
He also thanked the governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, for ensuring a seamless takeover process.
The Minister assured that the upgraded facilities will deliver optimal and quality healthcare services to Plateau State and its environs while providing employment opportunities for the state’s residents.
He urged the governor to explore more collaborative arrangements with the Federal Government.
In response, Governor Mutfwang commended the efforts of the Minister and the Federal Government’s leadership in fulfilling the mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He acknowledged the takeover’s importance in improving healthcare access and quality for Plateau State and neighbouring states.
While pledging continued state support for federal initiatives, he called for federal intervention regarding the issues faced by students of the Department of Dentistry at the University of Jos.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed grave concern over the escalating malnutrition crisis in Nigeria’s northeast.
According to OCHA, nearly a quarter of a million children, approximately 230,000, are at risk of severe acute malnutrition during the current lean season across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
OCHA reiterated the urgent need for immediate funding to facilitate early action and an effective response to the worsening crisis.