Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Wednesday laid the foundation for the conversion of the General Hospital, Omu-Aran, into the Thomas Adewumi University Teaching Hospital under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement designed to expand access to specialized healthcare in Kwara South.

The project is structured to advance medical education, expand human resource capacity within the state's health sector, and alleviate pressure on existing central tertiary health facilities.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony, the governor, represented by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, described the initiative as a major milestone for healthcare delivery in the senatorial district.

"Today marks another milestone as we witness the establishment of the first Teaching Hospital in Kwara South. This remarkable achievement, conceived and actualised through a strategic partnership with the Kwara State Government through the Ministry of Health, will deeply promote medical education, improve human resources in health and contribute significantly to increasing access to quality healthcare delivery for our people," he stated.

Governor AbdulRazaq noted that siting a tertiary healthcare facility in Kwara South will decentralize specialized medical care and reduce travel distances for residents seeking advanced clinical services, thereby helping to curb preventable deaths.

He reiterated his administration's policy of partnering with private sector stakeholders to accelerate critical infrastructure development across the state, praising the management and vision of Thomas Adewumi University.

In his address, the Founder and Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Engr. Johnson Bamidele Adewumi, recalled that the General Hospital was originally established on February 1, 1973, under the military administration of the late General David Bamigboye. He stated that adopting the facility supports the university's mission to train medical doctors and allied health professionals.

Clarifying the legal and administrative framework of the arrangement, Adewumi emphasized that the government has not relinquished ownership of the facility.

"Under the approved framework, ownership of the hospital remains firmly vested in the Government of Kwara State, while Thomas Adewumi University undertakes the construction and development of necessary academic infrastructure. For the avoidance of all doubt, the hospital was neither bought nor put on sale," Adewumi clarified.

The chancellor, however, appealed for state financial backing to assist with extensive structural upgrades and the recruitment of specialist medical consultants, noting the heavy capital requirements of operating a tertiary institution.

He disclosed that the project is scheduled for completion within 18 months, supported by a technical planning committee led by Professor Kuranga, a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), alongside 17 other professors.

Dignitaries in attendance included the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam; former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem; the Olupo of Ajase-Ipo, Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu; the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Raheem Adeoti; APC Senatorial Candidate for Kwara South, Prince Lekan Adewoye; and Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin.