The Lagos State House of Assembly has advanced efforts to boost healthcare delivery with the passage of a bill seeking to establish the Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The bill, which has scaled second reading and was committed to the joint committee on Health and Education, is designed to tackle the shortage of doctors in the state while promoting advanced research in the medical field.
Speaking during the debate, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya highlighted that the proposed institution would create jobs and expand the pool of medical professionals if signed into law.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa II) noted that although presented as an executive bill, the initiative stemmed from the Assembly’s oversight activities under Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Also contributing, Hon. Femi Saheed emphasized that the state faces a critical manpower gap in healthcare, stressing that the university would bridge this shortage, advance research, and generate revenue for the state. Hon. Jubril Abdulkareem (Agege II) also threw his support behind the proposal.
Speaker Obasa subsequently referred the bill to the joint committees on Health and Education, with a mandate to report back within three weeks.
According to Statute 19 of the bill, the proposed university would host Centres for Research and Development to foster innovation and strengthen its academic and professional functions.