The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. Sulyman Abdulkareem, has advised the newly-inducted medical graduands of the institution against relocating abroad for ‘greener pasture’.
While declaring open the 37th induction of 2021 Batch ‘B’ medical graduands UNILORIN College of Health Sciences, yesterday, he urged them to rather leverage the opportunities that abound in the country to provide and improve healthcare for the citizenry, Guardian reports.
According to Abdulkareem, there is mounting national concern over the exodus of Nigerian medical practitioners, adding that their services are greatly needed in suburban areas.
His words: “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.”
The VC said that the university would continue to provide an enabling environment for the training of health workers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported.
He disclosed that UNILORIN was the only educational institution in the country that did not lose any academic session due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
“It, therefore, comes as no surprise that our MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) 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 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 VC for his support to the college, adding: “The VC is providing remarkable support for the resource verification for the Dentistry programme.”
The university management recently approved the take-off of the Institute of Medical Research and Training, to further enhance research in all health-related issues, he disclosed.
Explaining that a molecular diagnostic and research laboratory had also been opened in the college to further enhance research, he noted: “The construction of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Community-Based Education and Manpower Development (COBES) Building in Shao had been completed and ready for commissioning,” he said.
Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kwara branch, Prof. Baba Issa, encouraged the graduands to contribute their quota to the country’s 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.
