Students and observers at the Kwara State College of Health and Technology, Offa, have expressed deep concern over the poor condition of the school’s medical centre and the abandonment of the only known medical vehicle on campus. When The Nigeria Education News visited the institution this week, the team discovered that the only ambulance seen within the campus had long been parked and appeared unserviceable.
The decaying state of the vehicle has raised fears among students and staff about the school’s emergency response capacity. For a college whose mandate is rooted in health education and professional training, students say it is ironic and alarming that access to functional emergency services is nearly non-existent. “We are studying to save lives, but if an emergency happens here, who will save us?” one concerned student questioned.
According to multiple students interviewed by our team, the parked ambulance has not been operational for over a year, and there appears to be no clear timeline for its repair or replacement. “We’ve asked several times during student congress meetings,” said a member of the Students’ Union Senate, “but we keep getting vague responses from the school management.”
In the event of a medical emergency on campus, students say the only option is to call for commercial transportation, often resulting in delayed medical attention. A female student in the Department of Community Health recalled a recent case where a fellow student fainted during a lecture and had to be transported on a bike due to the absence of a working school ambulance. “That experience made us realize how unsafe we are despite studying in a health institution,” she said.
When The Nigeria Education News reached out to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Senator Kolawole, he acknowledged the concern. He explained that the school management is aware of the problem and assured that efforts are being made to resolve the issue. “The school has been working on it and results will speak soon,” he said. He also confirmed that the school owns a second medical vehicle, but it is currently unavailable due to ongoing maintenance.
The medical centre itself, which serves as the primary health facility for students and staff, was also found to be in a state of disrepair. Some students reported that it lacks basic medical supplies, and the number of qualified staff is insufficient to cater to the growing student population. “We pay for health services every session,” one ND II student complained, “but what we get is far below expectations.”
Health-related concerns in educational institutions, especially those dedicated to healthcare training, have broader implications for student safety and institutional credibility. A health science lecturer who spoke anonymously noted that the state of the medical centre “does not reflect the vision of a 21st-century health college.” He added that “apart from theory, practical examples of health systems should be modeled on campus.”
Some students called on the Kwara State Government to intervene urgently. They argued that the current conditions not only put student lives at risk but also contradict the school’s mandate to produce skilled health workers. “This is where future health professionals are trained,” said a student nurse. “What kind of message are we sending when our campus lacks a functioning health response unit?”
Despite repeated demands, there appears to be a gap in communication between the student body and the school management on how soon concrete improvements will be implemented. Students have urged the school to prioritize healthcare infrastructure and transparency in its budget allocations for medical services and logistics.
As the academic year progresses, students remain hopeful that the situation will be addressed swiftly. Meanwhile, The Nigeria Education News will continue to follow up with the administration of Kwara State College of Health and Technology and relevant state education authorities to ensure that the concerns raised are not ignored.
