Outgoing Minister of Health Calls for Upgrade of Infrastructure in FCMLST
By Daniel Agada, Jos
The outgoing Minister of State for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama has called for massive upgrade of infrastructure in the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, FCMLST, Jos to become a West African educational tourist destination.
Ekumankama made the call while commissioning projects and foundation laying at the institution’s permanent site situated in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Lamingo, over the weekend.
The projects commissioned includes;Basic science laboratory, multipurpose auditorium, multipurpose diagnostic, research and molecular biology laboratory as well as foundation laying for the building of both academic and non academic staff blocks.
Our correspondent learned that the college which was established about 69 years ago as a brain child of Federal Ministry of health is currently experiencing infrastructural deficit.
The state health minister confirmed that the contract for the multipurpose auditorium which is part of the project commissioned was awarded since 1983,about 40 years ago.
According to him, the founding fathers of this college were visionary, and the institution remains the pride of the Federal Ministry of Health that must not be allowed to suffer.
“I strongly believe the college should have been given a take up grant considering her critical role as a pioneer training institution, responsible for the training of medical laboratory scientists who are responsible for providing results that are required for effective treatment, monitoring and evaluation of patients recovery.”
He appealed to Federal and state governments, Federal ministry of health, organizations and private individuals to consider rendering support to the health sector of the Nigeria economy to achieve its mandate.
“I hereby call on the educational development partners and agencies like Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to graciously consider Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos for support in the area of massive infrastructural development.
“This will open up the college as an educational tourist destination for the fellow West African Postgraduate college of Medical Laboratory science programmed in the region”, he stated.
The minister also acknowledged a good working relationship between the institution management and the unions which open a vista for the achievements recorded in the college in the face of paucity of funds and limited infrastructures.
Provost and chief executive of Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Sunday Etukudoh appreciate president Muhammadu Buhari for approving his second tenure of four years. Promised to continue entrenching accountability in leadership.
He revealed with the enactment of the Act 2023 establishing the college, it is certain that the institution has come to stay, hence the needs for more funding to enable running of the institution.
“We appeal to government for more capital funding to enable us embark on the remaining projects that are very critical for the full realization of the college mandate.
“These projects include the general laboratory, students hostel, provost lodge, landscaping works among others.”
