The President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria(NPMCN), Ijanikin, Lagos State, Dr. Akin Osibogun, has said braindrain is threatening the institution’s production of medical and dental specialists.
He spoke at the institution’s 40th convocation of 416 fellows.
He said: “Brain drain is greatly threatening the realisation of the college mandates of producing enough specialist medical and dental manpower for the country.”
Osibogun said the challenge needed to be addressed by the government, calling for an enabling environment to practise the two professions and encourage many to enter into the fields, and retain them to practise, rather than to seek opportunities abroad.
Osibogun said the college had produced no fewer than 7,500 medical and dental specialists since its inception 43 years ago.
Minister of State for Health Joseph Ekumankama, represented by the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the Federal Government acknowledged the role being played by NPMCN in the production of high quality medical and dental care professionals.
He said the government would continue to support the insitution with funds to discharge its mandates better.
Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, was conferred with an honorary Fellowship Award by the college.
Others were three fellows of the college – the former college President, Prof. Musa Borodo; former Registrar, Dr. Owoidoho Udofia and an ex-Governing Board member, Dr. Augustine Ohwovoriole.
Babalola thanked the college and its leadership for considering him worthy to be accorded the honour.
Speaking through his representative, Prof Slyvester Oluwadare Ojo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of ABUAD, Babalola said he would have loved to become a medical doctor as he cherished the profession in his early years and even now but for fate that took him to the legal profession.
He said he would continue to contribute significantly to the university education and the training of medical personnel.
Babalola urged the college and other relevant medical institutions to partner ABUAD’s College of Medicine and teaching hospital in areas of mutual benefit.
He said ABUAD had become a great force to reckon with among other top-rate universities globally and would continue to strive for greater heights.
Osibogun hailed Babalola for his passion for healthcare development.
“He is being honoured for his uncommon passion and commitment and investments in the multi-system hospital and the medical school at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti.
“This is the highest recognition the college can confer on non-medically qualified dignitaries.
“Though, while our regular fellowships are registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the honorary fellowship is not,” he said.