Etukudoh: All Hands Must Be on Deck to Improve Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

The Provost of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology (FCMLST), Jos, Professor Sunday Etukudoh, has reiterated the need for all stakeholders in the health sector to come together to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria, noting that it is only by collaborative efforts that significant impact can be made.

Etukudoh made the call yesterday during the inauguration of elected executives of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the college.

He commended the executives of the union for their positive approach to issues when it comes to making their demands, adding that their persuasive approach to issues has allowed for a peaceful atmosphere for work and studies in the college. This, according to him, has led to greater all-round achievements.

Etukudoh stated that he hoped NASU would continue to lend solidarity and make meaningful contributions toward the growth of the college while inculcating the positive virtues of sincere appreciation to the management of the college.

He said: “I call on NASU, management, and all the staff of the school to put in their best because we must succeed. We are bound to make sure the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria is improved.

“Just as President Bola Tinubu has charged his cabinet members, I am for success. I will not fail, but if anyone wants to me fail, I will ease you out.”

Presenting the Act establishing the FCMLST to NASU, the provost said it was necessary because it would help the union to act wisely, adding that it does not discriminate against academic and non-academic staff. He said the Act presented was 2018 Act which was repealed into 2023 Act.

The provost, who is in his second tenure of four years, appreciated the president and the National Assembly for their goodwill, and for engaging Professor Mohammed Ali Pate and Dr. Tunji Alausa as coordinating minister and minister of state respectively.

He, however, said Schedule 21 Section D of the Act stipulates that “Provost/CEO and other academic staff shall retire on attainment of 65 years of age, while Non-Academic Staff shall retire on 65 years of age as applicable to other training or research institutes. There will only be a need to borrow from the public service to add that if within the classification one is promoted to the rank of a professor, such a person will retire on attainment of 70 years of age in line with the new public service rule as championed by the Head of Service, Dr. Folashade Eso.”

He said the minister of health has approved that the college expands its scope of learning by training persons who will graduate as immunologists, biologists and forensic science experts among others.

The new NASU Chairman of the college, Comrade Olupona, who appreciated the management of the college for its support towards the successful election, said his EXCO would continue to adopt moral persuasive means to press home their demands in line with current global trends rather than being antagonistic.

She called on the federal government to consider it as urgent the need to increase the capital budget of the college to enable it put needed infrastructures in place for effective healthcare delivery services.