FG Okays Upgrade of Federal College of Dental Technology to University

*Approves setting up of regional coordinating centre of Africa-CDC in Nigeria

*Appoints CMDs for two federal medical centres

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu, to a full-fledged University of Allied Health Sciences.  This move, according to a release issued on Thursday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, is part of the President’s dedicated efforts to build robust human resources for the health and social welfare sector.

The Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy in Enugu will now be known as the Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, and will be domiciled under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The presidential directive came at a time when President Tinubu, who doubles as the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health, is set to train 120,000 frontline health workers nationwide within 16 months and  to double the number of primary health facilities in local communities across all local government areas of the federation from 8,800 presently to over 17,000 over the next three years.

The President is also doubling the number of health personnel graduating from accredited nursing and midwifery institutions over the next three years in order to meet the aspirations of Nigerians for accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services across the nation.
The President has also approved the establishment of the Regional Coordinating Centre (RCC) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa-CDC) in Nigeria.
President Tinubu is the African Union (AU) Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

The President’s approval of the siting of the Centre in Abuja is part of his larger effort to convey Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global health security, while promoting local economic opportunities in the health care delivery value chain and enhancing Nigeria’s and West Africa’s collective capacity to respond promptly to outbreaks which is vital to the overall well-being and stability of the African continent.

The Centre will also bring with it enormous socio-economic benefits in the form of enhancing aggregate national productivity and reversing human capacity drain, even as the ability of indigenous medical professionals and scientists will be bolstered to respond adequately to old, recent, and emerging diseases, not only in Nigeria, but across the continent.

Also on Thursday, President Tinubu  approved the appointment of Dr. James Enimi Omietimi as Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for an initial term of four years, and the reappointment of Professor Sa’ad Aliyu Ahmed as Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, for a second term of four years.

The President expects that the newly appointed Chief Medical Directors, leveraging their vast experience and professional competence, will facilitate the consistent delivery of quality healthcare services to all Nigerians in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of ensuring that all services in federal government hospitals are world-class, people-centred, and delivered in accordance with best industry practice.

Omietimi, an accomplished medical professional graduated from the University of Port Harcourt in 1994 with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS), and began his medical career with specialization in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He has held various leadership positions, including President of the Association of Resident Doctors.

Ahmed is a distinguished Professor of Pathology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, concurrently serving as the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, for four years during his initial tenure. He holds fellowships from esteemed institutions such as the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the International College of Surgeons (USA), the College of American Pathologists (USA), and the Central East and Southern Africa College of Pathology (South Africa).