By Dipo Olowookere
The Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) has inducted 54 new doctors just as the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has called on members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and other regulatory bodies in the medical profession to join his administration’s efforts in curbing activities of fake medical personnel in the health sector of the state.
The Governor, who gave this charge at the 11th Induction Ceremony for Medical Doctors by LASUCOM and the unveiling of roll of honours on various individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of the College, urged the 54 newly inducted doctors to strictly abide by the provisions of the oath of professional practice to which they have pledged by ensuring that they deploy their acquired knowledge and skills specifically to save lives and offer succour to people in distress.
Mr Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, also called on them to always arm themselves with the vision of the founding fathers of the college.
He reiterated that his administration placed high premium on the healthcare and wellness of the people of the State in view of the huge investment government has made in the health sector.
He further disclosed that his government has concluded plans to develop a Medical Park of international standards which is expected to come on stream in no distant future.
According to him, “As we march on with our quest to develop infrastructure that would support the administration and management of a Mega City, we are also desirous of putting in place everything necessary to enhance the capacity of healthcare and wellness of our people”.
Mr Ambode maintained that LASUCOM was central to the development of human capacity and support services for the Healthcare Strategic Development Policy of the state government, adding that the government would not relent in its efforts to elevate and support LASUCOM to become a world standard institution through the provision of modern equipment and infrastructure.
Earlier, the Provost of the College, Prof. Babatunde Solagberu said the college has witnessed an unprecedented transformation through massive infrastructural development, rehabilitation of roads and lighting in the institution since the beginning of the Akinwunmi Ambode led administration.
He thanked the state government for the composition of an excellent governing council, while noting that the College will coincidentally be producing the first set of Dental Surgeons by a State College of Medicine in Nigeria when Lagos celebrates 50years in 2017.
Prof Solagberu emphasised that there are 35 medical schools in Nigeria, only nine Dental Schools exist and LASUCOM is the only State-owned dental school.
One of the honourees at the occasion and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa, while tracing the history of the establishment of the College during his administration, said he was motivated by the need to produce more indigenous doctors for the country as most medical emergencies then were taken to Egypt.
