The hospital Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olusegun Ojo, has said Futa Teaching Hospital, Akure, is set to embark on major infrastructural upgrades and service expansion as it celebrates its first anniversary.

Prof. Ojo made this known to journalists on Thursday during a press conference held at the hospital compound to mark the one-year anniversary of the hospital’s establishment.

According to him, the hospital, which evolved from the former UNIMED Teaching Hospital Annex, now serves as a federal tertiary medical centre, providing advanced healthcare services to residents of Akure, Ondo State, and surrounding communities.

He said the first year has been a period of transformation, with the hospital transitioning from a general hospital structure into a fully operational federal academic medical centre, promoting professionalism, patient-centred care, and service excellence.

Prof. Ojo revealed that several new departments and units have been established, including Infectious Diseases, Oncology, Molecular Biology and Translational Medicine, as well as SERVICOM, Planning, Research and Statistics, and Protocol and Public Relations units.

The CMD said the hospital is preparing for major infrastructure projects, including new outpatient clinics, expanded inpatient wards, a modern Emergency Medicine Department, upgraded pathology laboratories, modular operating theatres, and advanced diagnostic imaging facilities.

“We are acquiring modern medical equipment such as CT scans, MRI machines, digital X-ray systems, echocardiography tools, and endoscopy systems to improve patient care and service delivery,” he said.

Prof. Ojo also disclosed plans to launch residency and fellowship training programmes, aimed at building capacity in tropical diseases, maternal health, non-communicable diseases, and mental health, strengthening both education and research.

He highlighted the hospital’s commitment to reaching underserved populations through community outreach initiatives, including mobile clinics, health fairs, and public health education programmes.

On healthcare financing, the CMD said the hospital is set to establish the “Allah Anu Fund”, a special support scheme to assist indigent patients who cannot afford costly treatments such as cancer care and dialysis.

“The fund will be managed by our Medical Social Workers Department, and we will seek support from NGOs, philanthropic individuals, and other partners to ensure that those who need care most are not left behind,” he said.

Prof. Ojo acknowledged the challenges posed by the migration of medical professionals abroad but said the hospital has expanded opportunities for visiting, part-time, and contract staff to strengthen its manpower.

He also revealed improvements in hospital management, including staff verification, creation of a formal nominal roll, and the introduction of SERVICOM offices to enable patients to submit complaints and provide feedback.

The CMD said security and traffic management at the hospital have been enhanced to provide a safe and organised environment for patients and staff.

Speaking on the anniversary, Prof. Ojo said the milestone is a launchpad for continued growth, adding that the hospital is fully committed to becoming a centre of excellence for healthcare, training, and research.

He invited NGOs, community leaders, and private sector partners to collaborate with the hospital, ensuring quality healthcare, skilled professional training, and sustainable access to services for all patients.

The first year, he said, has transformed FUTA Teaching Hospital from an overburdened annex into a federal tertiary institution capable of delivering advanced services while planning for modern facilities that will benefit generations to come.