By Dr Akeredolu O.N
The first set of FUTA medical students are writing their first MBBS exams at 300 level, which qualify those who pass to advance to 400 level, the beginning of clinical years. Yet there is no teaching hospital ready for them.
The only person who can save the situation now is the governor of Ondo State, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by ceding the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, to the federal government as the take-off hospital until the permanent site is ready, just as H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently did in Lagos State by giving General Hospital, Epe, to the federal government, which was converted to Federal Medical Centre, Epe.
The recent article I wrote about the future of over 150 medical students currently undergoing their studies in this great citadel of learning has generated a lot of ripples. Honestly, I have no strings attached. In terms of medical hierarchy, I’m very low compared to the medical leaders in Ondo State. At least the former NMA National President, Prof. Dayo Faduyile is a Prince of Ikoya in Ondo State, who even aspired to be the governor in the last APC primary.
But what has been his agitation concerning the future of these eaglets of his profession? Even other leaders like the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Special Adviser on Health, Dr Banji Ajaka, and Prof. Simidele Odimayo respectively —what are they telling the governor? Are they portraying the urgency of the situation to him? It seems everyone is more concerned about how to retain their current positions than about the services and responsibilities of those positions. That is the truth.
In all fairness to the governor, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, I can’t blame him for most of the obvious anomalies in the health sector, as he is not a medical personnel and relies on advice from the Commissioner for Health and Special Adviser on Health to revamp the moribund health sector in the state. However, in a situation where the supposed advisers need to be advised to know the right things to do or are more concerned about political positions than the welfare of humanity, there are bound to be problems like those currently envisaged with the FUTA medical school.
I’m also aware that the association of doctors in the state,NMA, Ondo state chapter, is doing its best, though not enough, because the future of the profession is being threatened. As I said in my last article, FUTA was created in 1981 by the Alhaji Shehu Shagari-led federal government of NPN. It is obvious that this great institution of learning was destined to be in Akure because unconfirmed reports suggest it was initially intended to be located in Ado-Ekiti, now Ekiti State, but this plan was blocked by the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin-led UPN government, which had concluded arrangements to establish a state-owned university in Ado-Ekiti, realised shortly after FUTA and named Obafemi Awolowo University, now the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.
I want to personally appreciate the efforts of Akure sons and daughters like Dr Femi Oyinsan, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae (Oluabo of Iluabo), the Deji of Akure Kingdom, and many others for their sacrifices so far. God, history, and posterity will be kind to you, sirs and mas, as the generations yet unborn who will pass through the medical college in the future will celebrate your efforts to make the health college a reality. As usual, the demonised political class of the country presents a problem; they play to the gallery on virtually everything without any genuine intention. However, there are a few exceptions, like Hon. Ademola Adegoroye, who was appointed a minister for nine months in the last dispensation of the Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari-led government. He remains the best minister ever to represent Ondo State at the Federal Executive Council. I recall Mr Raji Fashola’s comment about him. The then Minister of Works, who was also a former governor, remarked that Adegoroye became a problem for him due to his incessant calls and lobbying to ensure that the Ado-Ekiti-Akure Road was approved for dualisation.
Bar Ademola Adegoroye did not stop there; the age-long Ondo Sea Port was approved under his watch, and he ensured that several citizens of Ondo State received employment letters. Despite my initial reservations regarding his appointment, I was compelled to write an article to celebrate him, titled “Hon. Ademola Adegoroye, a Minister with a Magic Wand.” I never believed a person could achieve so much in such a short period. In a nutshell, the current hiccups in the FUTA medical school regarding a teaching hospital are due to the failure of the politicians representing Akure in both the green and red chambers, whether presently or in the past. In fact, Akure North and South federal constituency is currently represented by the worst individual in the history of the constituency. Hon. Derin Adesida, a scion of the Adesida ruling house, has set a bad record in terms of legislation in the history of Ondo State. These are the people who should be fighting for the speedy passage of the bills, especially when it is clear that the presidency is ready and willing to have them signed. Yet, as we speak, it is still at the second reading in parliament.
Beyond being myopic, the teaching hospital in Akure, which serves almost 50% of Ondo State’s population, is non-negotiable. Though some people criticised me for not advocating for my community, Owo, suggesting that the FMC should be upgraded, I consider this a myopic view. The existence of UNIMEDTHC Ondo, FUTATHC Akure, and FMC Owo means that Ondo State will have three tertiary health institutions, with UNIMEDTHC Ondo serving Ondo Town and the southern senatorial district, FUTATHC Akure serving the majority of the population in Akure and its environs, while FMC Owo will alleviate the burden and serve the good people of Ondo North Senatorial District. It will be a win-win situation, revolutionising the health sector in Ondo State.
In the interim, the Ondo State government needs to allocate the State Specialist Hospital Akure to FUTATHC as a take-off hospital to rescue the destinies of the over 150 medical students currently in the university. Meanwhile, Akure indigenes at home and abroad should put pressure on Hon. Derin Adesida, a House of Representatives member for Akure South and North federal constituency in the green chamber, and Sen. Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN, currently representing Ondo Central in the red chamber, both of whom are Akure indigenes. These individuals should ensure that the bills are passed this month. Otherwise, they should be recalled from their legislative duties. I also urge more people to voice their support for FUTA at this stage. These medical students in training need our help to prevent what happened at the University of Abuja, where the first set spent 13 years in medical school instead of six. Some of them are yet to recover from that agonising experience, which could be deeply depressing.
Dr Akeredolu O.N, from Owo-Ose axis of Ondo State. He resides in Akure.
Peoplesmind
