A bill for an Act to establish Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital, has passed second reading in the Senate.

The passage followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by its sponsor, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC Ondo Central) during Wednesday’s plenary

He said: “In 2010, the National University Commission, (NUC), gave final approval for the commencement of a course in Medicine and Surgery, MBBS program, by the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA with effect from the 2020-2021 academic session.

READ ALSO:

Senate declares Okpebholo’s seat vacant, tasks INEC on fresh election

Tinubu exudes confidence ahead of 2027 elections — Bwala

Senate moves to approve vocational/technical institute in Benue

“The program has since commenced, so inorder to obtain an MBBS degree in Nigeria, one has to spend approximately three and a half years in a teaching institute.

“The course duration itself is six years, the first year is spent in the Faculty of Science, studying Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and other general subjects.

“The pre-clinical years last for approximately 18 months, and success in the examinations.

“After this qualifies the student to proceed to the clinical years, which is mostly spent in a teaching institute,” he said.

Senator Adegbonmire said the FUTA, which runs medical and surgery program, is now approaching the clinical years, which they have to spend in a teaching hospital, lamenting that the institute did not have such facility.

This, he said would have an adverse effect on students presently studying medicine and surgery, adding that the importance of having a teaching hospital cannot be overemphasized.

He said the university was presently in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding, MOU with the Ondo State government to allow university students use temporarily the state’s General Hospital in Akure.

Senator Adegbonmire said President Bola Tinubu places great premium on health, stressing the need for Nigeria to train more medical personnel, given the increasing population and brain drain of medical personnel.

President of Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, after the bill was read the second time referred it to committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund for further legislative inputs and to be returned to plenary in four weeks.