Lagos State Health District V and Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences, EKOUNIMED, are exploring areas of strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, medical training, research and human capital development across the district.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, led management officials on a working visit to the university to discuss areas of mutual support and partnership.
Speaking during the visit, Asiyanbi stressed the need for innovative financing and strategic partnerships to accelerate healthcare development, urging stakeholders to explore alternative funding opportunities through institutions such as the Development Bank of Nigeria, the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank.
He specifically sought EKOUNIMED’s support for the introduction of basic ultrasound services at selected Primary Health Care, PHC, centres across the district.
According to him, the initiative would involve the procurement of ultrasound equipment and training of doctors at the PHC level to provide basic diagnostic services closer to the communities.
Asiyanbi estimated the cost of procuring one ultrasound machine and training a doctor at about 4,000 dollars, expressing optimism that support from EKOUNIMED and development partners would facilitate the deployment of the initiative to selected PHCs.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of EKOUNIMED, Professor Gbolahan Olusegun G. Awosanya, assured the delegation of the university’s commitment to supporting healthcare development in its host communities and Lagos State.
Awosanya disclosed that the university’s admission policy prioritises applicants from its catchment communities, noting that the institution was established with a commitment to ensuring that residents within its immediate environment benefit from its programmes and development initiatives.
He further revealed that a co-investor in the university’s Medicine and Health Sciences programme had indicated willingness to donate an ultrasound machine in response to the request by the Permanent Secretary.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism about the future of the institution, saying ongoing infrastructure development and strategic partnerships would enhance its growth and contribution to healthcare and medical education.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Lagos State Health District V, Dr. Oladeinde Oluwaseun, thanked EKOUNIMED management for hosting the delegation.
Oluwaseun described the engagement as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between Lagos State and the university.
He commended the founders and management of EKOUNIMED for their contributions to medical education and expressed the state’s readiness to deepen the emerging partnership for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, EKOUNIMED, Professor Suleiman O. Giwa, also appreciated the delegation for the visit and underscored the importance of community participation in the development of institutions and healthcare projects.
Giwa said the host community remained central to the university’s development philosophy, stressing that sustainable projects should involve and deliver tangible benefits to the communities where they are located.
The engagement is expected to strengthen collaboration between Lagos State Health District V and EKOUNIMED in healthcare infrastructure, access to quality medical services, training and research.
The initiative is also in line with the Lagos State Government’s healthcare development agenda and its commitment to advancing Universal Health Coverage.