.jpeg)
By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish world-class medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to strengthen practical training for students in medicine and other healthcare professions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Sunday while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Medical Simulation Committee, a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, said.
Alausa said the proposed centres would provide practical training for medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and other allied healthcare students, stressing that the initiative was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to expand Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
The minister said the need for improved practical training had become more urgent following the significant increase in enrolment into healthcare-related programmes across the country.
According to him, nursing enrolment has risen from about 38,000 students three years ago to more than 120,000 currently, while annual admission into medical schools has increased from about 5,000 students when the Tinubu administration assumed office to almost 12,000.
He said the Federal Government was targeting an annual medical student enrolment of about 20,000 within the next three years.
“Today, I'm happy to report that we're admitting almost 12,000 students primarily now. Our goal in the next three years will increase the number of annual medical student enrollment in medical school to about 20,000,” Alausa said.
He added that admissions into pharmacy and dental schools had also doubled, further increasing the number of healthcare professionals being trained in the country.
The minister commended the Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, Dr. Wale Suleiman, and other members for their efforts in preparing the report and advancing the establishment of the proposed centres.
He also acknowledged the contributions of key professional and academic stakeholders, including the Registrar of the Medical Emergencies Council, the Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and a professor in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat at the University of Abuja Medical School.
Alausa described the proposed simulation centres as another demonstration of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the quality of education and developing the skills required to meet Nigeria’s healthcare needs.
He said the government would continue to support the development of the centres and expansion of healthcare training opportunities for Nigerian students.
The minister added that the initiative was expected to contribute to producing a highly skilled healthcare workforce capable of meeting the country’s future demands.