The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Southwest Nigeria, has officially launched a new programme, Advanced Professional Diploma in Hospital Management to help enhance the quality of healthcare management in the country. It is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony held on Saturday at the LASUTH, the Chief Medical Director, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo, explained that the diploma programme will bridge the current gap which denies graduates employed as hospital administrators from progressing beyond level 14 unless they acquire a professional diploma.
He maintained that the diploma programme is aimed at bridging the gap in healthcare administration expertise. The CMD explained, “LASUTH is progressive, having excellently fulfilled its core mandate of a teaching hospital by continuously providing top-notch tertiary health services and acing so many medical interventions’ The hospital decided to focus a bit on another of its core mandates, to establish relevant training institutions. “The hospital has established five training schools, which are School of Anesthetic Technology, School of Orthopedic Cast Technology, School of Echocardiography, Caregiver Academy and the Institute of Advanced Professional Diploma in Hospital Administration and Management, which is being inaugurated today.” Fabamwo assured the pioneer students of excellent facilitators, deliberately handpicked to transfer hands-on knowledge to them.
A representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Mr Jenrola Olanrewaju, said the establishment of the institute aligns perfectly with the strategic objectives of the state government in its quest to build a world-class healthcare system that is accessible and sustainable. He stressed the need for investment in the development of human capital, saying it is a way of fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, as well as laying the foundation for a healthcare ecosystem that is resilient, responsive and capable of meeting the evolving needs of a diverse population.
In her remarks, the Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo said the inauguration means a lot to her professionally and applauded the leadership of the hospital for considering taking the step. She added, “This move closes up a yawning gap in professionalization within a hospital environment, where virtually everyone is deemed to be a professional and everyone who is meant to manage them should be at par. This aligns with a circular passed in 2016, stating that the professionalization of the administrative cadre was approved.”
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs Busola Abidakun, said, “Certifications only show a quest for knowledge and a knack for improvement, and that is why this initiative really brings me joy.” She assured that the ministry is ready to support the institute, adding, “In my capacity as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Establishment, Training and Pensions, my team and I have deliberated and we are ready to give everything we need to put into the works to make this Institute stand firm. This is greater Lagos rising and we are definitely up to the task.”
