Lagos State Transforms CACOVID Centre for Medical Training

The Lagos State government has transformed the former CACOVID Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, into an academic facility for the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM). This initiative, announced by Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, aims to address the shortage of healthcare professionals in Nigeria, exacerbated by migration and insufficient local training capacity.

The state plans to increase the annual healthcare training intake from fewer than 500 to approximately 2,500 students over the next four to five years. Abayomi emphasized a focus on "brain gain," encouraging local training and the return of Nigerian professionals from abroad.

The renovated facility has added 315 laboratory positions, 520 lecture seats, and 169 seminar seats, significantly enhancing LASUCOM's capacity to train healthcare professionals. Additionally, the government is pursuing a standalone University of Medicine and Health Sciences, with the enabling bill already passed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

LASUCOM's provost, Prof. Olufemi Idowu, welcomed the transformation, while deputy provost, Prof. Sunday Soyemi, noted it would alleviate about 30% of the institution's space challenges.