History of Lagos State College of Nursing(LASCON)
Training of general nurses in Lagos first commenced in 1948 at Broad Street, Lagos Island in a building now occupied by the Federal Dental unit. Then, there were no qualified tutors and the entry requirement for the programme ranged from standard 6 to secondary class 4. By 1954, two expatriate qualified tutors joined the staff and the school was moved to 68, Campbell Street- the premises are now being used by the state’s Traditional Medicine Board. This was when it became a full-fledged training institution running basic programmes and awarding a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate.
In 1962, when the School of Nursing, Lagos University Teaching Hospital was founded, the idea was that it would train enough nurses for the Federal Territory and so, the other school was closed down and was later moved to the Greek Hospital.
When the Nursing Council of Nigeria introduced the new standard of Nursing Training in July 1965, the Federal Government decided to establish a new school based on the new standard requirement, realizing that the teaching hospital could not train enough nurses for the Federal Territory. Despite the crises in the country at the time, the Federal Ministry of Health managed to release funds for the renovation of the old school to meet the new requirements. Hence, the birth of the new School named “School of Nursing”. The School was then located at 1-9, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. This was transferred to the Lagos State Government in April 1968. The School became a Complex when other nursing programmes were added including post-basic ones.
Lagos State School of Nursing Complex, Igando was established to train polyvalent Nurses, Midwifery practitioners, and other specialized Nurse professionals who will use the knowledge of the nursing process approach in providing safe, acceptable, effective, and affordable health services to meet the health needs of individuals, families and the community
However, in 2007, the Nursing Council’s approval to admit students into the School was withdrawn due to decaying structures and other administrative lapses.
In a prompt response to this development by the Lagos State Government, a new School of Nursing was built within the premises of Alimosho General Hospital, Igando on a vast land to accommodate the three schools as well as the students’ hostel which is well equipped to enhance quality training.
Well-equipped hospitals; (LASUTH, Gbagada General Hospital, Maternal & Child Care (MCC) Centers, and Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers serve as clinical areas for practice. Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) serves as the main hospital for the Schools.
The health service facilities of the state consist of the following: 25 General Hospitals, 1 Tertiary Hospital (LASUTH), and 275 Primary Health Care Centers across the 20 local governments and 37 LCDA’S. It is envisaged that the School will provide the manpower required for these facilities by providing quality health care services to the people of Lagos State, a Center of Excellence.
Source: lascon.edu.ng
