The Lagos State College of Medicine (LASUCOM) used the milestone of its 18th anniversary to put the issue of medical school and teaching hospital collaboration on the front burner.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon Bello; the Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Christie Mato; Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof Temitope Alonge; and pioneer College Secretary, LASUCOM, did justice to the theme: “Universities, their Colleges of Medicine and the University Teaching Hospitals – Partnering towards global brands for world class status” in their presentations at a symposium organised to mark the anniversary.
In his paper titled: “The role of the University in developing its College of Medicine and the role of the College of Medicine as an Integral Part of a World Class University” , Prof Bello underscored the need for multi-disciplinary collaborations between the university and the medical school.
He said the college should be open to such pacts because it could benefit from advances in other areas of specialization to improve the practice of medicine.
“There is need for multi-disciplinary collaboration. The college of medicine cannot be on its own and attain world class status. You have to reach out to other disciplines and learn from them,” he said.
He also advised Vice Chancellors to involve Provosts of medical schools in management decisions so they are carried along. He said, for instance, at UNILAG, the Provost of the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL) is one of the principal officers and therefore attends all management meetings at the main campus of the university.
He said LASUCOM had the potential of achieving greatness early because of the commitment of the Lagos State government.
“LASUCOM has a big advantage to become one of the best ahead of its seniors because it is owned by the Lagos State government, which is the fifth largest economy in Africa,” he said.
Offering her perspective on the topic: “Of lecturers, consultants; colleges of medicine and the university teaching hospitals – becoming world class brands for medical education and health”, Prof Mato also underscored the need for collaboration between the medical school and university on the one hand, and the medical school and the teaching hospital on the other. She said this could be achieved if they were located in close proximity where possible.
She said: “In the Stanford Model, the Medical School is strategically located on the same campus as the rest of Stanford University in close proximity to the school of engineering, the school of humanities and sciences, as well as the graduate school of business. This arrangement encouraged many unique and virtually seamless collaborations and interactions, and works for them, but will it work for us?
“It is important for the Management and staff of our Colleges of Medicine not to exclude themselves from the rest of the University. If you must, it should be in a location that guarantees easy access and is spectacular so a first time visitor wants to come again.”
Prof Mato also underscored the need for adequate funding of medical schools and commitment to valuable research not one that promotes mediocrity.
“Most medical schools do not generate funds to sustain themselves. Universities should be ready to fund their medical schools,” she said.
On his part, Prof Alonge of UCH gave a detailed history of how medical training started in Nigeria.
He explained that there would be less friction between medical colleges and teaching hospitals if both institutions make the patient’s welfare their primary focus. He said the chief executives of both institutions need to agree to achieve world class status. He counseled them not to allow people get between them.
“Please the provost and the chief medical director (CMD) must work together to achieve world class status. If you have differences, please settle it. Many times, lecturers/workers will pitch the provost against the CMD,” he said.
Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof Lanre Fagbohun, urged participants at the symposium to internalize all that was said about collaboration, research, and commitment.
In an interview, LASUCOM Provost, Prof Babtunde Solagberu, said the college had made commendable progress.
“In 18 years we have produced 615 medical doctors in 11 sets from 2006. By March (this month) we will produce our first set of dental surgeons.
“All hospitals where our graduates work, they give us fantastic report. Some have gone on to get places in Harvard; some are back as lecturers,” he said.
