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Tag: College of Medicine

  • Scholar, researcher, advocate more funding for self-employed

    Scholar, researcher, advocate more funding for self-employed

    A professor of psychiatry and immediate past provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), Olayinka Omigbodun, has called on the government to take advantage of the huge percentage of self employed women and informal sector to improve the economy. 

    The scholar, who said by empowering women who statistics revealed are about 85 percent self employed, government will be doing so much in reviving the economy.

    She spoke while fielding questions from reports at the opening of a six week training of about 100 self employed young women who are selected from different parts of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The project is called “Understanding the Gendered Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Young Self-Employed Nigeria Women and Co-Producing Solutions that Foster Better Systems and Well-being” which was branded as: “Advancing Resiliency in Self-Employed young women in Nigeria (Arise and Win).

    Omigbodun who is the principal investigator for this Arise and Win project said the effort is a pilot testing and a co-produced comprehensive intervention that was developed with the policymakers, self-employed young women, researchers, based on the research evidence. 

    She said: “Eighty six (86) percent of women in employment in Nigeria are self employed and many of them lack support that they need to thrive in business and life and have optimal wellbeing. 

    “They need acceptable, accessible, co-produced interventions which is the gap that Arise and Win project is trying to fill. Almost 80 percent of men are also in the self-employed sector. So that’s the sector that our policymakers and government should actually focus on.

    “If we are saying most of the working age are in self-employment, the government must be sensitive, must be aware, and understands the importance of investing. That is the place, one of the places they will really invest in, to grow our economy.

    “Even those in wages are few. But these are the people, this is the army that’s going to help boost Nigerian economy. So that’s what we’re doing.”

    Also speaking, the lead postdoctoral fellow on the Arise and Win project, Dr Iyeyinka Kusi-Mensah said the focus of the training was due to studies which showed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, women suffered much more than men, as they were stuck at home because they had children to look after.

    She said the training consist of two major parts about what self-employed women needs to know, saying, “We have put together a package which is going to consist of two major aspects. One aspect is capacity building on what sort of things do self-employed women need to know. So we are going to be teaching them things about health and well-being, physical health, mental health.

    “We are going to be teaching them things on economic, how to financial management. We are going to be teaching them about their rights, they need to know what are their rights, what is available for them if they are in trouble. We are going to be teaching them if they need soft loans, how do they take it, everything pertaining to managing a business.

    “We are going to teach them about digital space, if this is the age of artificial intelligence, how do I move my business online? Many of them can use their AI to do designs, well AI is not on the syllabus here, but I’m just saying that if you are a self-employed young woman or man or if you are in employment and you don’t have digital skills, the world will leave you behind.”

  • Provost to new doctors, dentists: be agents of change

    College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL) Provost, Prof Afolabi Lesi, has advised 186 newly-inducted doctors and dentists to be change

    agents in the health sector.

    Speaking at the graduation of the Medical and Dental Class of the 2016/2017, Lesi said the power to j be change agents in the  health sector resided in every individual.

    “Always strive to know more and do not think that you already know everything.

    “I want you to know that despite the leadership role of doctors in the medical team, doctors alone cannot render the needed services in the healthcare system.

    “One of the major challenges facing the healthcare industry is the constant acrimony and disruption of services in the healthcare professionals space,” said Lesi.

    “I therefore charge you to remember that if you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do. I urged the graduates to practice health profession with conscience and dignity,” he added.

    LUTH Medical Advisory Committee Deputy Chairman Prof Wasiu Adeyemo, urged the graduates to abide by the ethics of the profession.

    “This is a responsibility that should be taken on with every sense of diligence and respect for the human life.  Always prepare to give back to the system because little contribution will help to improve health system in the country,” he added.

    The college Secretary Mr Oladejo Azeez, congratulated the inductees on earning the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).

    He advised the inductees to be worthy ambassadors or the college.

     

  • Protest: UI shuts College of Medicine indefinitely

    •As Downpour destroy buildings 

    Following protests by students of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, management of the institution yesterday shut the Alexander Brown Hall of the College.

    The management said the move was imperative in view of the security threat the students’ action may pose. Students of the college had during the week staged a protest following the upward review and introduction of the professional training fees to N100, 000.

    A statement by the UI registrar, Olujimi Olukoya, said the decision to close the hall was reached after a meeting of the board of the College of Medicine. The closure was with immediate effect until further notice with a promise to review the situation in two weeks.

    The students were also directed to vacate the hall immediately.

    “In view of the security threat that the students’ action may pose, the board, therefore, recommended an immediate closure of the Alexander Brown Hall until further notice with a review of the situation in two weeks,” he said.

    Following a heavy downpour that lasted for about four hours across Oyo State late Friday night, no fewer than seven buildings were recorded destroyed at the University of Ibadan. The affected properties included the Students’ Union (SU) Building, two halls of residence, Chemistry Laboratory of International School, University of Ibadan, and some others within the premises of the institution were seriously damaged. Other affected buildings were Tedder Hall, Bello Hall and some departments in the Faculty of Agriculture.

    The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the institution, Professor Emilolorun Aiyelari, who addressed journalists, disclosed that an electricity transformer at the Student’s Union Building was also damaged during the rain. “We have recorded a lot of damages, unquantified for now; when we are through we will be able to know how much it will cost. We have three major roofs removed. One in Tedder Hall, two buildings in the department.

     

  • UI: Medical students protest N100, 000 new professional training levy

    A peaceful protest was staged on Thursday by the medical students of the University of Ibadan against the introduction of N100,000 health professional training levy.

    The protesting students drawn from the College of Medicine made their displeasures known at the Alexander Brown Hall (ABH), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, displaying placards with different inscriptions.

    Some of the inscriptions read: “Health Professional Training Levy is scam”, “No to N100,000”, “We cannot afford it”,  “Save Ibadan Medicine”, and “Free Education is my right.”

    The protesting students also locked the gate to the hall of residence and prevented entry and exit into the ABH until around 4pm.

    One of the protesters who spoke under the condition of anonymity said: “We are protesting because of the increment on top of our N23,000 school fees. Initially, the management told us that they would add professional training levy to our school fees, and it will be for all professional courses in the university such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering and so on.

    “But the medical students in the College of Medicine are the only ones that have been mandated to pay the fees. It is not good. Why will brilliant students will be treated poorly like that?”

    Another protester also stated: “The College of Medicine said it takes about N600, 000 to train a medical student. And gradually the university wants to increase the fees we are paying gradually through the college to N600, 000.

    “In this ABH, our accommodation fee has also been increased from N14, 000 to N40, 000. Only one tap is working in this hall. We go as far as UCH first gate to fetch water, yet we are not complaining. But the N100, 000 health professional training levy is too much. Many of us cannot afford it.

    “I am in this College of Medicine because I am brilliant. I do menial jobs to complement the stipend my parents are giving me in order to maintain my studentship in the college. Many of my colleagues are orphans.

    “If the levy is not reversed, many of us will drop out of school.  Not only that, Medicine will become a course that will be studied only by children of the rich. I know my financial capabilities, which is why I opted for federal university. If I have rich parents, I would have gone to a private university.”

    Efforts to get comments from the Provost, College of Medicine, did not yield positive result as he was said to have gone for a programme on the campus of UI at the time of visit to the office.

    Sources however hinted that Prof Adebowale Afuwape, who was introduced as Dean of Students, College of Medicine, was said to have addressed the students at the ABH with a promise that he would take their message to the management of the college.

    The protesting students, it was learnt however, did not allow him into the premises of the ABH, as he addressed them from across the gate that was firmly locked.

     

  • 1992 Alumni renovates UNILAG’s College of Medicine

    As part of efforts to return the College of Medicine (CMUL), University of Lagos (UNILAG) to former glory, the 1992 Alumni set of the school has renovated one of the students’ hostels.

    This is  to mark their 25 years anniversary as professional doctors. They, in addition, renovated one of the hostels’ toilet, bathroom and the kitchen.

    Shedding light on the efforts o f the alumni, chairman of the group,   Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye, praised the contribution of the 1992 set to embark on such laudable project.

    Dr. Adeyeye said; “It is applaudable to see people doing well. And one can say the 1992 set of this great institution, has done well for the school at large. Though, the government is not funding the school so well, yet there’s a need to keep the school at the same standard where we left it. Other Alumni set of the school should take a que from this and others that have done something similar, to improve the college infrastructure, and keep the standard where it used to be when we were students.”

    Collaborating Dr. Adeyeye’s statement, one of the 1992 set, Dr. Adebimpe Adebajo acknowledged the influence of the institution on her career and her peers, “As a group, we realised some years ago that we all left medical school nearly 25 years ago. At least, some of us are dead and the many of us that are much alive are doing well- in and outside the shores of this country. If not for this college, we won’t be where we are. And we just want to thank God and give back to the college which is why we renovated the school’s toilet, bathroom, and the kitchen in one of the hostels.”

  • GSK partners UI on medical quiz

    To improve medical education and practice in Nigeria, leading healthcare company, GSK Pharmaceuticals, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, to sponsor the biennial National Inter-Medical School Quiz Competition.

    The contest, which kicked off 17 years ago, was initiated by UI in honour of Oladipo Olujimi Akinkugbe, an emeritus professor and distinguished alumnus, for his immense contribution to the university in the field of Education and Medicine. The competition since its debut, has been improving cross-cultural integration of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

    Speaking at an event to announce the sponsorship of the competition and signinging the MoU, Managing Director, GSK Pharmaceuticals Nigeria, Mr Bushan Akshikar, said the decision to take up the sponsorship of the national medical quiz competition was borne out of the firm’s desire to adequately contribute to improving the nation’s health care sector.

    He said: “We believe that a competition of this sort will help improve the knowledge base and capacity of medical students to enable them become better and well equipped experts in the future. Investing particularly in medical education is well thought out. We are confident that these students are the future of the medical profession and we are proud to contribute to their advancement.

    “At GSK, our mission is to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. It is imperative that healthcare companies like us compliment government efforts to improve medical education and practice. We are glad to throw our weight behind this initiative,” he added.

    UI College of Medicine of Provost, Prof Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa, was happy about the partnership.

    He said: “This is a wonderful collaboration between the industry and the academia. College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, is delighted to be a beneficiary of this partnership with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Nigeria Limited. This will in no small measure support the development of medical practitioners in Nigeria who can compete favorably with their contemporaries from any part of the globe.”

    Since its inception in 2000, Professor Akinkugbe National Medical Quiz competition, has maintained firm sustainability, providing a sustainable opportunity for medical students from all over Nigeria to actively engage in a keenly contested atmosphere that fosters unity and teamwork.  It is today, ranked as one of the most prestigious and challenging inter -medical school quiz competitions in Nigeria.

    At the end of the competition, the top three medical schools are awarded grand prizes and certificates are presented to all participants amidst huge celebrations. The firm’s sponsorship of the competition will certainly help improve the values of the long standing contest, while strengthening healthcare infrastructure and capabilities across Nigeria.

  • UNILAG’s College of Medicine inducts 106 medical, dental graduates

    The College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) yesterday inducted 106 new medical and dental practitioners into the profession at its 2016 Medical and Dental induction ceremony.

    CMUL’s Provost, Prof. Folusho Lesi, urged the newly inducted medical and dental practitioners to join other health workers in providing quality healthcare to the society.

    The provost advised the graduates to abide by the ethics of the profession and embrace team work to curtail professional rivalry.

    He said: “My charge to the young doctors is for them to go out and work as part of the health team that will improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

    “It is also important for them to ensure that they work together with other members of the health team.

    “Team work is one thing that should be emphasised, there is so much rivalry between professional groups and it is not necessary because the patients suffer.

    “So, they should go out and contribute their part by seeing themselves as members of the society, who have important roles to play.”

    The provost advised the inductees to be hard working and committed to their duties.

    He said: “I urge you to put the welfare of your patients first, render skilful, effective service and your needs will be taken care of.

    “Also, make personal efforts to continually update yourself with current information in the profession.”

    Also, the guest speaker, Dr Kunle Onakoya, advised the inductees to imbibe the ethics, rules and regulations of the profession and stand out among their colleagues.

    Onakoya, who is also an orthopaedic surgeon, urged the graduates to be committed and dedicated to promoting their professions in the country.

    He said: “I urge the young doctors to rise above discouragement because they will surely encounter one; they need to be an oasis because oasis is a fertile ground which struggles to survive in spite of hardship.

    “Regardless of hardship in school, every young doctor needs to flourish and strive for excellence. Striving for excellence will help them to give back to the society by contributing to the health system.”

    He advised them to be compassionate, understand the feelings of their patients and treat them as expected.

    Onakoya also advised aspiring medical students to be hardworking as well as embrace the required concentration and determination.

    He urged government at all levels to boost and upgrade the health system for a good and efficient healthcare delivery system.

    According to him, boosting the health system will attract and encourage Nigerian health professionals outside the country to return home.

    Responding on behalf of the graduates, Mr Azeez Arisekola, one the best graduating students, said he would serve the nation by being committed to saving lives.

    He also advised the students to believe in themselves and be determined to always to be the best in all their endeavours.

    Another graduate, Mr Emmanuel Ohaa, said he would use his training to enhance national development and save lives.

    “I also thank my parents, lecturers and the university management for grooming me to be effective and efficient.

    “I encourage colleagues to be humble, intelligent and aspire to attain more academic excellence, with a view to achieving their dreams,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six inductees were awarded with cash gifts for being the best in various categories.

     

     

  • Unilag College of Medicine inducts 106 medical, dental graduates

    Unilag College of Medicine inducts 106 medical, dental graduates

    The College of Medicine, University Of Lagos (CMUL), Lagos State, on Monday inducted 106 newly qualified medical and dental practitioners into the profession, during its 2016 Medical and Dental Induction Ceremony.

    Speaking at the event, Prof. Folusho Lesi, the Provost of CMUL, advised the newly inducted medical and dental practitioners to join other health workers in providing quality health care to the society.

    He advised the graduates to abide by the ethics of the profession and embrace team work, to curtail professional rivalry.

    “My charge to the young doctors is for them to go out and work as part of the health team that will improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

    “It is also important for them to ensure that they work together with other members of the health team.

    “Team work is one thing that should be emphasised, there is so much rivalry between professional groups and it is not necessary because the patients suffer.

    “So, they should go out and contribute their part by seeing themselves as members of the society, who have important roles to play.’’

    The provost advised the inductees to be hard working and committed to their duties.

    “I urge you to put the welfare of your patients first, render skilful effective service and your needs will be taken care of.

    “Also, make personal efforts to continually update yourself with current information in the profession,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Dr Kunle Onakoya, the guest speaker at the ceremony, advised the inductees to imbibe the ethics, rules and regulations of the profession and stand out among their colleagues.

    Onakoya, who is also an Orthopaedic Surgeon, urged the graduates to be committed and dedicated to the course of promoting their professions in the country.

    “I urge the young doctors to rise above discouragement because they will surely encounter one; they need to be an oasis because oasis is a fertile ground which struggles to survive in spite of hardship.

    “Regardless of hardship in school, every young doctor needs to flourish and strive for excellence.

    “Striving for excellence will help them to give back to the society by contributing to the health system.”

    He advised them to be compassionate, understand the feelings of their patients and treat them as expected.

    Onakoya also advised aspiring medical students to be hardworking as well as embrace the required concentration and determination.

    He urged governments at all levels to boost and upgrade the health system for a good and efficient healthcare delivery system.

    According to Onakoya, boosting the health system will attract and encourage Nigerian health professionals outside the country to return home.

    Responding on behalf of the graduates, Mr Azeez Arisekola, one the best graduating students, said he would serve the nation by being committed to saving lives.

    He also advised the students to believe in themselves and be determined to always to be the best in all their endeavours.

    Another graduate, Mr Emmanuel Ohaa, said he would use his training to enhance national development and save lives.

    “I also thank my parents, lecturers and the university management for grooming me to be effective and efficient.

    “I encourage colleagues to be humble, intelligent and aspire to attain more academic excellence, with a view to achieving their dreams,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that six inductees were awarded cash gifts for being the best in various categories.

  • ESUT medical college marks Hepatitis Day

    ESUT medical college marks Hepatitis Day

    A renowned gastroenterologist at the College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT), Dr. Gideon Anikpo has said that unless Nigerians take Hepatitis B and C very seriously, the disease would continue to ravage the society.

    In a lecture to mark the 2017 World Hepatitis Day at the University, Anikpo lamented that due to negligence about 2 million people were infected globally with Hepatitis B and C, 4 million acute cases reported annually while 1 million deaths occur every year, even as he noted that there were also 350 million carriers in the world.

    He regretted that although Hepatitis B and C claim lives 20 times more than HIV/AIDS, little or no attention was given to it. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Eliminate Hepatitis.”

    He said, “Hepatitis B is the inflammation of the liver and its categorised into acute and chronic when it becomes not only a public concern but a silent pandemic and major threat to public health.”

    While describing Hepatitis B as a public health burden in Africa and leading cause of liver disease, the guest speaker stated that about 5 million people could die annually if not diagnosed early, adding that the disease had been treatable since 1982.

    He however, disclosed that strategies for prevention and eradication of the disease included health education, universal screening, prevention of new infections, vaccination in trado-medical procedures, avoidance of unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners as well as avoidance of re-cycling needles.

    The medical practitioner noted that all Nigerians were at risk of contacting the disease and should be counselled and screened for HBV infection at any available opportunity, pointing out that healthcare workers were at higher risk of acquiring the HBV infection.

    Speaking further on the scourge of Hepatitis B and C, Dr. Gideon Anikpo, advised Nigerians to take all necessary measures to prevent it, saying it was easier and cheaper to prevent, as cost of drugs for treatment was beyond the common man.

    Declaring the event open earlier, the provost, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, raised an alarm on the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B in sub-Saharan Africa, stressing that it was regrettable Egypt, had the highest prevalence rate in the world.

    Prof. Ugochukwu, said that the damage the disease had done on mankind, calls for concerted efforts by both stakeholders in the health sector and the people to check its occurrence and spread.

    He explained that the World Health Organisation (WHO) sets aside July 28 every year to draw global attention on the pandemic of Hepatitis B and C and called on participants to send the message of the lecture to at least 100 persons through the social media, as information remained the key to disseminate message on the disease to the public. The erudite scholar challenged participants to go ahead and spread the message and not the virus to the people.

    Also speaking, the dean, clinical, at the College of Medicine, ESUT, Prof. Chike Anibeze, commended the head of the department of community medicine in the university, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu for organising the lecture and promised that his department had no choice but to support such laudable programmes that would go a long way to improving the health of the citizenry.

    Earlier, the organiser and head of the department of community medicine, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu, said that the style of leadership of the provost, motivated him to organise the event, which was holding for the first time since the inception of institution.

    Ndibuagu, stated that with such a visionary leader, all staff could only support his administration by putting into practice the slogan and virtues of the provost by being creative and enterprising to achieve excellence in education, research, leadership and good morals. He also praised the Megalife Pharmacy for sponsoring the celebration and appealed to the group for more support.

    Some staff and students of the college had earlier in the day held a walk along some major streets in Enugu to create awareness as part of activities to mark the World Hepatitis Day while more than 500 participants were later screened for Hepatitis B for free.

    Some cultural dances and drama series by students entertained guests on the occasion, which drew participants from within and outside the university.

  • Religious activities can help stabilise people with mental conditions — Psychiatrist

    Religious activities can help stabilise people with mental conditions, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Olatunji Aina, has said.

    Aina said this on Friday in Lagos while addressing participants at the Annual Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Yaba.

    The theme of the conference was: `Religion and Mental Illness`.

    Aina, who lectures at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said: “The mentally ill most times use religion to cope with their distress.

    “Also, religious activities including prayers, fasting, church and mosque attendance, spirituality, are known to attenuate psychiatric symptoms, discourage suicide and even heal physical illnesses.“

    The consultant said, however, that many fake religious leaders in the past and in recent times used religion in ways that were injurious to people’s mental health and lives generally.

    According to him, such religious leaders tend to pursue material things at the expense of the welfare of members.

    “These fake leaders make frightening prophecies and cause disharmony in the family and so many families have been scattered as a result.

    “Also, some illiterate religious leaders teach false doctrines.

    “For example, (some of them can tell you that) mental illness is as a result of sin.

    “Most of these religious leaders are charlatans and criminals, that is, wolves in sheep clothing.

    “These are some of the disadvantages of religion to mental health in Nigeria,“ Aina said.

    Also speaking, another Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Bolanle Ola, urged psychiatrists to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of patients.

    He also underscored the need for psychiatrists to taking cognisance of patients’ religious beliefs in addressing their plights.

    Ola, a lecturer at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, said psychiatrists were trained to use techniques that would help patients achieve optimal performance.

    “If your patient believes in God and if that belief will help him realise his potentials, definitely, we need to assist, because what we practice is patient-centred care.

    “As a psychiatrist, you know that in taking some aspects of the patient’s religion into consideration, you can increase his or her quality of life,“ he said.

    He said it was inappropriate for religious institutions to house sick people.

    According to him, sick people are taken care of at the hospital.

    “Religious institutions may not be the best place for some people with mental health problems because we also realise that mental illness can co-exist with a lot of physical health problems.

    “The religious leaders do not have the training to be able to cope with this and do not know that there is increased the risk of death for the individual,“ Ola added.

    In his remarks, the President, ARD, FNPH, Dr Kenneth Uwajeh, said the theme was chosen based on the fact that experiences were associated with religious practices in Nigeria.

    Uwajeh said: “Also, some people believe that mental illnesses are due to spiritual causes.

    “Yes, there is a relationship, but we want to dispel the opinion that it must be exclusively spiritually inclined.

    “We want to bring information to people, make them know that despite hearing voices or other spiritual experiences, there are treatments that are scientifically proven and therapeutically effective.