The Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, has advised the newly-inducted medical graduands of the institution against relocating abroad.
Rather, he said that they should leverage the opportunities that abound in the country to provide and improve healthcare for the citizens.
Abdulkareem made the call on Tuesday while declaring open the 37th induction ceremony of Batch ‘B’, 2021 medical graduands of the institution’s College of Health Sciences.
According to the VC, there is mounting national concern over the exodus of Nigerian medical practitioners.
“Their services are greatly needed in suburban areas rather than looking for quick ways to relocate abroad,” he said.
The vice-chancellor expressed concern over the increasing rate of Nigerian medics relocating abroad, stating: “it is disheartening to note that we may have just trained you to become assets to other countries.
“This brain drain leaves the country unable to benefit from the investments it had made in your training.
”Let me make it clear to you that the nation needs your services dearly and is willing to benefit from your expertise.”
Abdulkareem said that the university would continue to provide an enabling environment for the training of medical practitioners and other health workers.
He disclosed that the university was the only institution in the country that did not lose any academic sessions despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read Also:
“It, therefore, comes as no surprise that our MBBS programme is largely over-subscribed by prospective applicants because of our stable academic calendar,’’ he said.
In his address, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Olanrewaju Adedoyin, expressed the confidence that the 11 inductees would keep up ‘the nobility of the medical profession.
He encouraged them to dream big, plan accordingly and conduct their practice with the highest standard.
Adedoyin appreciated the vice-chancellor for his support to the college, adding: “The VC is providing remarkable support for the resource verification for the Dentistry programme.”
He stated that the university management recently approved the take-off of the Institute of Medical Research and Training, which would further enhance research on all health-related issues.
The provost explained that a molecular diagnostic and research laboratory had also been opened in the college to further enhance research.
“The construction of the WHO Collaborating Center for Community-Based Education and Manpower Development (COBES Building) in Shao had been completed and it is ready for commissioning,” he said.
Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Kwara branch, Prof. Baba Issa, also encouraged the graduands to contribute their quotas to the Nigerian healthcare system and not be discouraged by the challenges they might come across.
He assured that NMA would continue to prioritise their welfare and offer necessary support at all times.
(NAN)
