Lagos State House of Assembly, through its Joint Committee on Education Tertiary Institutions and Health Services and Primary Healthcare, has held one-day public hearing on University of Medicine and Health Science Bill, 2024.

The bill seeks to provide for the establishment and constitution of the University of Medicine and Health Science as an independent university, separating College of Medicine from Lagos State University.

The Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, Ajani Owolabi, who is chairman, Committee on Education, Tertiary Institutions, in his welcome address said the proposed bill intended to train medical and health professionals, as well as promote hedge search and expand access to higher education.

“The proposed bill will provide a robust governance system, including the Governing Council, Senate, Congregation and Convocation, while the governor of the state is designated as the visitor, ensuring accountability and alignment with state priorities.

‘’In addition, the university will award degrees and distinctions in medicine and allied health fields with a merit-driven admission policy and as well ensure a smooth transition from current students and workers of Lagos State University College of Medicine, protecting their rights and academic projection.

Giving an insight on the proposed bill, Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Kasunmu said the bill, which had 54 sections and five parts, was desirous of establishing a specialised university of medicine with the primary vision to train world-class health care workers, who would feed the health care sector of the state and beyond.

He said the proposed bill focuses on specific subsectors and aims to respond to the looming crisis of brain drain and also address new challenges.

Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Mrs. Mojisola Meranda, said the bill has passed earlier critical stages and is closing to become a Law of Lagos State.

She noted that there were only two specialised universities of medicine in Nigeria and they were privately owned. “The bill seeks to bring standardisation in the teaching of modern medicine.

“This house will not pass a Law without seeking inputs from stakeholders in relevant sectors and Lagosians at large,” she said.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the Executive Council under the chairmanship of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would address the problem of human resource needs for health deficit in Lagos and Nigeria.

“We recognise that it is a huge responsibility for us to address deficit in health care professionals.”

Lending his voice, Commissioner for Tertiary Institutions, Mr. Tolani Sule, said: ‘’Today’s deliberation is not about the passage of the bill, it is about laying a foundation for a transformative institution that will define how we train, empower and deploy medical and health professionals not only for Lagos State, but also for Nigeria and wider world.’’

He added that the proposed university was a strategic upgrade of the existing Lagos State University College of Medicine, which was one of the proudest academic institutions in the state.

‘’However, this transformation is far more than a change in nomenclature; it is a visionary realignment with the global best practices designed to expand the scope, depth and reach of medical education in Lagos State.

“This university will expand our capacity to train not only all doctors, but also nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapist, biochemical and biomedical scientists and other essential health professionals, who are critical to the sustainability of our health system. This will as well enhance our research capabilities, attract international collaborations and strengthen the pipeline of skilled health workers.’’

Emeritus Prof. Olufemi Bamiro said the state could establish a university under a concurrent situation.

‘’However, there is a laid down procedure, which must be followed.’’

Following the contributions, the Co-chairman of the joint committee, Lawal Musibau, said all contributions would be factored in the final draft of the bill.