The 250-bed Osun State University Teaching Hospital is “well-thought-out and will surpass expectations when completed,” the Vice Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola, has said.

Prof. Popoola, who spoke n Friday in Osogbo, the state capital, said that the Senate and Governing Council of the University have approved the process of re-accreditation of the Medical and Dental Council’s (MDCN) programme.

The programme which was granted full accreditation by National Universities Commission (NUC) at the inception of the university was later suspended partly, due to inability of the university to provide a teaching hospital for student’s clinical training in line with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) requirements

The VC said the decision to recommence the MBBS programme is based the need for the university to play a significant role in the training of Medical Doctors in Nigeria. He assured that UNIOSUN will produce world-class medical doctors

Popoola said considering the importance of the programme and the need to demonstrate the continued relevance of the university to the society, the university authority considered it a challenge to proceed with the process of getting the programme back on tract.

“When completed, UNIOSUNTH will consist of a Community Health Unit, Maternity & Neonatal Medicare, Research and Diagnostic Laboratories, State of the art operating Theatres, Cutting Edge Diagnostic Imaging, inclusive of C.T Scan, M.R.I Scanning Facility, Ultra-Sound Scanning Facilities, X-ray and Radiotherapy Suites, Lecture rooms, Necropsy and Morgue,” he said.

The 3-D image of the project was unveiled by the Chancellor of the university, Dr. (Mrs) Folorunsho Alakija, who was supported by her husband, Mr. Modupe Alakija. The couple donated the facility to the university.

Prof. Popoola praised the philanthropic spirits of the Chancellor who pledged to build and furnish the 250-bed Uniosun Teaching Hospital at Oke Bale located along Ibokun road in Osogbo.

Dr. (Mrs) Alakija, Chancellor of the university, said the idea for the hospital was borne out of love for children, mothers and humanity in general and for the advancement of medical education.

She explained that the event was the fulfilment of her pledge to build a children’s hospital when Aregbesola appointed her as the Chancellor.

She noted that since the university has been given approval to recommence its medical school, she decided to upgrade her donation to a full-fledged ultra-modern teaching hospital.

She commended the people of Osogbo for donating a 30-acre piece of land for Osun State University Teaching Hospital.

The Chancellor and her husband also commended the tenacity and dynamic driving force of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Popoola, “who has continued to work hard in his rebuilding and restoration agenda at the university.”

Before he completed his tenure as the Governor of the state, Mr Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola ensured that he laid the foundation for the 250-bed Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) on Thursday, November 22, 2018 in Osogbo.

The foundation-laying ceremony was witnessed by Aregbesola’s successor, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, and Dr. (Mrs) Alakija, who was accompanied by her husband Mr. Modupe.

While laying the foundation, Aregbesola said: “This project gives me so much joy. Few years ago, I had to stop and suspend the medical program of this university because of the inability to even do any skeletal practicals due to lack of clinical facility, my intention then was to provide a befitting medical and clinical facilities which requires a huge amount of money.

“To the glory of God and delivery of quality medical education, the foundation stone of Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) donated by Modupe and Folorunso Alakija is laid today 22nd day of November, 2018.”

Aregbesola also extolled Prince (Engineer) Tunde Ponnle for his bequeathal of his property in Ada for Medical Training and outreach to the university.

•Photo shows Aregbesola laying the foundation of the UNIOSUN teaching hospital supported by Alhaji Gboyegba Oyetola, Osun Governor, Mr Modupe Alakija and Mrs Folorunso Alakija, the deputy governor, Benedict Alabi and the VC, Professor Labode Popoola.