Ododo govt sustains medical infrastructure drive, inspects CUSTECH Hospital facilities

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Kogi State Government has continued its investment in medical education and healthcare infrastructure with the inspection of medical students’ hostels and doctors’ quarters at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Teaching Hospital, Okene.

The inspection was carried out by the Commissioners for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika, to assess facilities being developed to support clinical training, research and improved healthcare delivery at the teaching hospital.

Speaking during the inspection, Fanwo described the development as an example of what he termed “vision extension”, saying the transformation of the former Reference Hospital into CUSTECH Teaching Hospital demonstrated continuity in governance and development.

He recalled that the former Governor Yahaya Bello administration established the Reference Hospital, while the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had continued to expand its capacity and provide additional facilities required for medical education and clinical services.

According to Fanwo, the development showed how public projects could be sustained and improved when successive administrations built on existing foundations rather than abandoning previous investments.

The commissioner expressed satisfaction with the quality of the students’ accommodation and doctors’ quarters, particularly the spacious rooms, reading areas, wardrobes, bathrooms and toilets, as well as the provision of solar power and internet connectivity.

He said the facilities were designed to provide medical students with a conducive environment for academic work and research, particularly as they progress into the clinical stages of their training.

Fanwo explained that students in the earlier stages of their programme have accommodation at the CUSTECH campus in Osara, while those entering clinical training would have dedicated accommodation close to the teaching hospital.

He also highlighted the importance of the doctors’ quarters, noting that locating medical personnel close to the hospital would facilitate faster clinical response and make it easier for doctors to attend to emergencies and other responsibilities.

According to him, providing suitable living and working conditions is also important to attracting and retaining qualified medical professionals in the state.

Fanwo said the development formed part of a broader investment in education and healthcare infrastructure across Kogi, citing ongoing projects at other institutions, including the Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba.

He said the government’s investment in medical education was ultimately aimed at producing doctors capable of competing professionally in Nigeria and internationally.

The commissioner therefore urged medical students to take their studies seriously and justify the resources being committed to their training.

He also stressed the need for continuity beyond the present administration, saying future governments should sustain and expand projects designed to strengthen medical education and healthcare delivery for successive generations of Kogi residents.

On his part, Abanika expressed satisfaction with the standard of the facilities inspected, describing the students’ hostel as more than conventional accommodation.

He drew attention to the reading spaces, beds, wardrobes, bathrooms and toilets, saying the facilities had been designed around the specific needs of medical students undergoing clinical training.

The commissioner said the accommodation would provide students with a comfortable and conducive environment within close proximity to the teaching hospital.