The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare delivery with an inspection of facilities at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital in Okene. The inspection was carried out by Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika. The visit assessed facilities developed to support clinical training, medical research, and improved healthcare services.
During the inspection, Fanwo described the development as an example of "vision extension," highlighting the transformation of the former Reference Hospital into CUSTECH Teaching Hospital as a demonstration of continuity in governance and development. He recalled that the immediate past administration of former Governor Yahaya Bello established the Reference Hospital, while the current administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo expanded its capacity and provided additional infrastructure for medical education and clinical services.
Fanwo expressed satisfaction with the quality of students' accommodation and doctors' quarters, noting the spacious rooms, reading areas, wardrobes, bathrooms, and toilets, as well as the provision of solar power and internet connectivity. The facilities are designed to provide medical students with a conducive environment for academic work and research, especially during clinical training stages. Students in earlier stages have accommodation at the CUSTECH campus in Osara, while those in clinical training have dedicated accommodation near the teaching hospital.
The commissioner underscored the importance of the doctors' quarters, citing their proximity to the hospital, which would enhance emergency response and enable medical personnel to attend promptly to clinical responsibilities. This initiative is part of the government's strategy to attract and retain qualified medical professionals in the state by providing conducive working and living conditions, ultimately improving healthcare delivery.
Fanwo disclosed that the development is part of wider investments in education and healthcare infrastructure across the state, citing ongoing projects at other institutions, including the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba. The government's investment in medical education aims to produce doctors capable of competing professionally in Nigeria and globally. He urged medical students to take their studies seriously and justify the resources committed to their training.
Abanika expressed satisfaction with the standard of the facilities inspected, describing the students' hostel as more than a conventional accommodation facility. He highlighted the reading spaces, beds, wardrobes, bathrooms, and toilets, noting that the facilities address the peculiar needs of medical students. The accommodation provides students undergoing clinical training with a comfortable and conducive environment while keeping them close to the teaching hospital.
Fanwo urged future administrations to sustain the momentum by ensuring that projects designed to strengthen medical education and healthcare delivery are not abandoned but continuously expanded to benefit generations of Kogi residents. The government's commitment to medical education and healthcare delivery is expected to have a positive impact on the state's healthcare system and produce qualified medical professionals.
Key points
- The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening medical education and healthcare delivery.
- The government inspected facilities at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital in Okene.
- The facilities inspected include medical students' hostels and doctors' quarters.
