The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Medical students

  • New hostel for UNILORIN medical students

    The University of Ilorin has inaugurated a new 128-bed male hostel for students of its College of Health Sciences.

    The facility is part of the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. AbdulGaniyuAmbali, towards providing decent accommodation for students on campus.

    Each of the 64 rooms in the storey building has a kitchenette, toilet and bathroom.The facility is also equipped with common rooms as well as a reception hall.

    It is expected to accommodate about 128 students of the Faculties of Clinical Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences.

    Provost of the College, Prof. W.B.R. Johnson, and the Secretary, Dr S.B Adisa, thanked the university administration for its efforts to ease the accommodation challenges of students.

    “I think you need to go there and see that it is quite a vast upgrade of what we have at this end. It is a storey building. Aesthetically, it looks better, each room is self-contained. Self-contained because each room has its own mini-cooking stuff, of course, the bathing and toilet facilities are room specific. So, the new hostel is another addition to the feather-saturated cap of our Vice-Chancellor,” said Johnson, who also praised the VC for constructing a link road connecting the main campus with the UNILORIN Teaching Hospital (UITH).

    Before the 6.5Km link road was constructed, Johnson said it took about one and a half hours to move from the hospital to the main campus – a journey that has now been reduced to 10 minutes.

    “That is the greatest favour that you can do to some of us who have found ourselves in this kind of position that we have to liaise constantly between the college and the university,” he said in appreciation.

    Disclosing plans to also build places of worship for Christians and Muslims close to the halls of residence, Dr Adisa lamented the hardship students face commuting between the UITH, the hostel and the main campus, urging the university to assist in getting vehicles or tricycles to ply the area and ease the challenge of transportation.

    He also appealed to the university management to ensure adequate security for occupants of the new hostel, calling for the deployment of mobile-policemen with firearms, as well as streetlights which, he stressed, “will go a long way in guaranteeing safety.”

  • Ooni is medical students’ patron

    Ooni is medical students’ patron

    The maiden National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA) was held in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, last weekend. The association chose the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as its grand patron. EDDY UWOGHIREN (400-Level Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin) reports.

    THE Nigerian Medical Students Association (NIMSA) has chosen the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as its grand patron.

    Members of the association, which is the umbrella body of medical students in the country, unanimously picked the monarch during the maiden meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) held last weekend in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

    Despite the short notice, members turned out for the event held at D’Kitts Hotel. The meeting was attended by executive members of the association, chapter presidents and general secretaries.

    The event started with a lecture by Mr F.A. Ogunmola, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with the theme: Safety on the highway. According to him, prevention of road accident should not be seen as the duty of FRSC alone. He said people must partner with the body and observe the road rules to reduce rate of accidents.

    Ogunmola identified lackadaisical attitude, alcohol, visual impairment and disobedience to traffic rules as primary causes of accident. He said many road users have psychotic problem, which, he said, endangered other road users. He advised people to always check the condition of their vehicles before embarking on journey.

    He urged the medical students to take the campaign to their various campuses and advise their colleagues to partner with FRSC as volunteers for emergency response.

    Ogunmola said: “As medical students, we know you organise medical outreaches. We plead with you to increase the tempo and embark on advocacy that will change people’s behaviour on the road. The society is looking up to you as the future of the health sector. We urge you to spend your holidays with the FRSC to help in emergency response duty. Currently, we only have Red Cross and other volunteers, who have no background in medical knowledge.”

    The following day, the medical students held a congress, which was presided over by the NiMSA national president, Haruna Musa. The discussion was centred on issues affecting the wellbeing of the association, healthcare and students’ welfare.

    At the end of the congress, the students issued a communique, which listed their demand from the government. They called for establishment of Counseling Unit in all medical schools by Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to offer free counseling to students. The students also agreed to improve the relationship between NiMSA and other religious bodies.

    The highpoint was the selection of Oba Ogunwusi as the grand patron of the association. After the congress, the chapter presidents took out time to give report of happenings in their domains. They passed a vote of confidence on Haruna, applauding his leadership style.

    The medical students visited the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso on excursion to end the three-day event.

     

     

  • Roadblock on medical students’ way

    Roadblock on medical students’ way

    After one year of their admission to read Medicine at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), some students are lamenting being forced to change their courses.  The university says its hands are tied by the new directives of the professional bodies, especially the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), report KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, OLUWATOYIN ADELEYE and SAMPSON UNAMKA.

    Their intention is to read Medicine and they were admitted into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the course. But after completing their first year, they can no longer continue with the course. Why? New directive by the professional bodies, especially the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) pegging the number of medical students to be admitted by universities.  Universities are given index numbers only for the number of students they have facilities to train.

    So, UNILAG cannot accommodate all those admitted for its medical programme at the start of the 2014/2015 academic session in October 2014.  It has only space for 130 students.

    More than 50 students who started the session last November by attending 200-Level courses at the College Medicine, UNILAG (CMUL) at Idi-Araba, have been reassigned courses in the Faculties of Sciences, Social Sciences and Education.

    The crossover students, as they are called, were admitted through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the University Foundation Programme (UFP), as well as degree holders admitted through Direct Entry (DE).

    After spending a year on the main campus in Akoka, they were to cross to CMUL at Idi Araba to continue their studies under its three main faculties: Basic Medical Sciences (Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Pharmacology and Physiology); Clinical Sciences (MBBS, Physiotherapy, and Nursing); and Dental Sciences.  This is no longer so.

    The forced change was a blow to many students who did not understand why they were not “promoted” despite meeting the stipulated benchmark stated in the students’ handbook: a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 and/or 50 per cent pass in each of their physical, biological and chemical courses (50:50:50).

    They accused the University of being unfair and biased towards candidates that came through the UFP because they paid as high as N500,000 for the programme.

    However, the university refuted the claims, explaining that the numbers were reduced according to the quota given by the regulators.

     

    The students’ lamentations

     

    Many students told The Nation that the first sign of trouble ahead came when the Sub Dean of Faculty of Science, Dr Ade Ademilua, told them  the benchmark had changed few days to the second semester examinations of their first session.  However, they did not think much of it.

    When the new session started last December, they started shuttling between Akoka and Idi-araba for lectures.  They only knew something was amiss in January when their names were not among those to continue in Idi-iraba.  They were told to go back to the main campus.

    One of the affected students, simply called Ariyo, was moved to the Science and Technology Education department.  She was particularly pained that the list came out after she had spent a lot buying books for her medical programme.

    “I already moved into the college of medicine and was squatting with my seniors. I bought text books worth almost N10, 000, registered for laboratories, bought lab coat. The list of names came out late so we already started receiving lectures. Because we met the cut off marks we were confident. Only for the list to be released and my name was in education, under science and technology, which means I remain at Akoka. I could not believe it. In fact, I could not talk to my parents,” said Ariyo, who was originally admitted to study Physiology after two tries at UTME.

    For Olumide, Microbiology, his new course, is not even an option he wants to consider because he lacks interest in it.  He is so dissappointed that he has refused to attend classes.

    He said: “After first semester, I had a GPA of 3.65. It was not good enough but I was well above the criteria of 50:50:50 for medicine so I tried not to be too bothered. My father was angry and afraid I would not make it. I also worked harder in second semester.

    “When second semester results came in, the first thing we noticed was that they had cut so many people’s marks down. People failed more in second semester and many others had mistaken results recorded for them so we had to go and clarify. This was in January. Then the amended broadsheet came out in February and I had a 3.42 CGPA. It was not so good but I was still higher than the 50:50:50 cut off. So I did not pick a change of course form like people who did not do well did. I was confident. Only for the list of those crossing over to come out and my name was in Microbiology.

    “My whole family is very angry with me. My dad is angry but my mum is even angrier. They all said I did not read. I have explained what happened several times but they are not even listening to me anymore. I don’t know where to start from now because I cannot do Microbiology. It is not what I want. I don’t like it and if I do it, I won’t pass it. JAMB (UTME) form has closed already so I am just stuck and I am not attending lectures. People have been asking why I am still at home and I keep saying we have not resumed. Everyone already believes I am studying medicine.”

    Another victim, Iheanacho, has a  more pathetic story having left the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he was already studying Microbiology for UNILAG when he was admitted for Radiography.  In all, he has lost three years.

    “With a CGPA of 2.25 as against the 2.0, I am qualified to move into the college of medicine to study my course, Radiography. I am supposed to be graduating from the department of Microbiology in UNN this year. But I felt fortunate when I gained admission into UNILAG to study a medical course during my 100-Level at UNN so I gladly moved. But looking at what is happening now. I am seriously regretting my decision. It was not easy gaining this admission. I left UNN last two years and came here. Then I had to repeat 100-Level here because I did not meet up to the 2.0 cut off mark to proceed to the college of medicine and I stayed. If I wanted to move to another department when I was told to repeat the year, I could have, but I stayed because I was determined. After repeating one year and I finally merited the criteria, they don’t want to allow us have our right. My name was not even in any of the lists.

    “I feel very bad about this. It is total injustice. I am pleading with the management of the school and the public to please intervene so that UNILAG would not jeopardise our future. I cannot tell my parents about this because they would be very sad. Some people’s parents have disowned them based on this.”

    On her part, another victim, Bimbola (not real names), claimed the university favoured UFP students (popularly called Diploma students) over the UTME counterparts.

    “Some people had 60/60/70 and they are not there; some people had a CGPA of 4.0 and they are not there. Medicine and surgery used 4.11.  They picked 16 people from UTME and over 80 people from their Diploma (UFP). Then Nursing picked 70 from Diploma and 27 from UTME; and Dentistry 17 from Diploma 15 from UTME; and Physiotherapy picked 50 from , and 33 from UTME,” she said.

     

    University’s Response

     

    Contrary to the students’ claims of unfair treatment, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, and the Provost, CMUL, Prof Folashade Ogunsola, said the students are being saved from heartache of continuing in the programme only not to be registered by the professional bodies  at the end of their studies because of the regulators’ insistence on indexing each student.

    Explaining the school’s dilemma to The Nation, Prof Rahamon said the institution has been forced to reduce its students according to the quota given  by the MDCN.

    He said: “The medical school has been over admitting; so they (regulators) have now given an order that they should stop or drop the accreditation, which means that the doctors will not be able to practice.  We had to go into agreement with them on how to do it; so we had to reduce the number that would go for this year and the next five years.  We have had to reduce to about 130 –  that is why there is an issue,” he said.

    On her part, Prof Ogunsola said the enforcement has become stricter this session than previously.

    “The professional bodies give us quotas they have been enforcing slowly. This year, it affects all professions, not just medical. It is all of them: nursing, physiotherapy, radiography, medicine, medical laboratory science. And what they have done also is that we have index numbers. Those index numbers are given to you at 200-Level and they will not give you more than your quota.  So if you don’t have an index number and we take you, we will not register you at the end,” she said.

    Prof Ogunsola also explained that the benchmark noted in the handbook was an eligibility criteria, not that the students that met them had to be taken.

    “It is not an automatic thing; they are just misrepresenting the issue. Some of them made 2.5 but did not pass 50:50:50 so they are not saying all that; and that is not it.  It is not the CGPA, it is how many we can take so we drew a line. We did not go by ‘we are taking 3.5 this year.’ We can only have 40 people in nursing so where the number was 40 we drew the line,” she said.

    The two principal officers also refuted claims that Foundation students were favoured over UTME students.

    Prof Bello said the cut-off for Foundation was the highest the university has used in years.

    “It is not true.  The Foundation students had quota just like others.  If I tell you what may have happened, all of them scored 16 Aggregate in the A Levels.  In the past we used to take people with 13 Points.  This year we could not take anybody less than 16 points,” he said.

    Regarding favouring Foundation, Prof Ogunsola said: “The other claim is that we favoured Foundation but we didn’t because we knew this before so we had cut down what was coming from Foundation; so definitely we were taking more from 100-Level.  We were duty bound to take Direct Entry so we took some DE and some Foundation,” she said.

    In defending the students’ cause, the Student Union President of the institution, Muhammed Olaniyan, said the union is talking with the university to change them to courses of their choice.

    “If the MDCN is saying they cannot admit 150 students, then sincerely, there is nothing the management can do.  Where the management is at fault is that when they got this information they would have passed it to the students.

    “We felt we needed to dialogue and we sat together: any student that says he wants to study medicine, let us know; any student that feels aggrieved and says ‘No, I don’t want Education,’ let us know; write down the department you want.  But if the department is full you have to write a department that is not full.  We got the list; we told management not to share them into anyhow departments,” he said.

     

     

  • Success tips for medical students

    Success tips for medical students

    Final year students of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos will be graduating better equipped thanks to Tomeb Foundation, in partnership with Exxon Mobil, for offering them success and leadership tips.

    The participants, who gathered at the at the LUTH auditorium for the seminar with theme, Achieving Goals, last Thursday, were also given copies of the book, The personal business plan: A blueprint for running your life, courtesy of Exxon Mobil.

    A facilitator, Dr Ibipo Abdurraheem, who spoke on: “Principle and Practice of Goal Setting and Achievement” noted that young medical doctors were not immune to the wave of global unemployment.

    “The situation is not helped by the continuous decline in the quality of training,” said Abdurraheem –Salami, who teaches at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

    He advised the students not to wait until graduation before charting their course in life.

    “Write down your goals, be clear in your objectives and make plans to achieve them and work on your plan every single day,” he counseled.

    He told them not to allow fear of failure to stop them from setting goals but adopt the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound) model of goal setting.

    Country Managing Director, Accenture, Mr  Niyi Yusuf, who spoke on: “Art and Science of self knowledge”, challenged participants to identify their inner assets, as self awareness would help them know their strengths, weakness, values, and habits, among others for self improvement.

    “Because we are all different in the way we react to things, learn and synthensise information, It is helpful to occasionally spend time in self reflection to gain better insight about ourselves,” Yusuf said.

    To thrive in life, Yusuf advised them to do what they are passionate about.

    He challenged participants to ponder over some posers such as, what drove them to their present situation, the kind of company they keep and the environment they go; the passion behind their goal; how exceptional they are among their contemporaries; their I’m understanding of success, as well as optimism in the face of travails, among others, noting that if they could provide answers to those questions, they can then place themselves on a scale and see how they fare with respect to making it in life.

    “Everyone is valuable and unique; everyone has a unique contribution to make in life and work and that responsibility for making that contribution lies solely with that individual,” he added.

    Founder, Tomeb Foundation, Tunde Popoola, said the nonprofit body started by his family in 2012, focuses on: education, youth development, leadership and sustainability.

    “What we are doing today is part of the activities we usually carry out to engage young people. Our vision is to inspire people and communities to be able to do more with their lives.

    Popoola who also delivered the third lecture: ‘Dealing with procrastination’ said the foundation offers scholarship to secondary school students, mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as leadership training through seminars.

    “Tomeb Foundation is also representing Nigeria on the global entrepreneurship monitor forum which is an association consisting body of researchers into entrepreneurship. Our role is to conduct research on entrepreneurship as far as entrepreneurship in Nigeria is concerned.”

  • Controversy trails medical student’s death

    Controversy trails medical student’s death

    The circumstances surrounding the death of a medical student of the Benue State University (BSU), Nicholas Idoko Ejugwu, have given room for speculations. Some students believe the late Nicholas may have committed suicide, having spent 10 years in the medical college, unable to pass the professional examinations. His family has debunked the suicide story, saying his death was natural. MSONTER ANZAA (400-Level Medicine) and JOSHUA OBELLE (300-Level Mass Communication) report.

    What caused the road accident that killed Nicholas Idoko Ejugwu? The 400-Level Medicine and Surgery student of the Benue State University (BSU) reportedly committed suicide after he failed several times to pass his professional examinations. But, his friends and family are not happy with the theory, claiming the student’s death was an accident.

    It was widely reported that the late Nicholas resorted to suicide having been withdrawn from the medical school after 10 years in the college. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Nicholas was disturbed by results of pathology and pharmacology professional examinations released on July 22. He and three other students were advised to withdraw from the college, having exhausted the number of times a student can sit for the exams.

    Students dumped the body at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. But, the family dismissed the speculation, saying Nicholas’ death was natural.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Michael Ejugwu, the deceased’s father, said the accident was caused by a stationary truck.

    He said: “Our son did not committ suicide. He was driving on Abu King Shuluwa Road on high speed, without knowing that a truck had broken down in the middle of the road. When he saw the truck, he tried to manouvre but was faced by the road divider. Because he did not have his seat belt on, he was flung out and died on the spot. A passerby was crushed by the tossing car.”

    Adams Ocheme, the late Nicholas’ friend, who was with him a few minutes before the accident, also debunked the suicide story. He said: “We were four students, who went to see the Dean of Pre-clinical Science, Prof John Ibu, on Friday, July 24, to interact with him on our results, which were released two days earlier. But as the school was on strike, we did not meet the dean; so, we all returned to my off-campus hostel.

    “From there, we called the dean and he answered. It was Nicholas, who spoke to him. He told the dean we would like to meet him for advice on the outcome of the examination. Prof Ibu said lecturers were on strike but added that the results were provisional and we could make our complaints whenever the school resumed.

    “Before Nicholas left, we ate egg and bread together. We told him to stay around till Monday when we expected the lecturers would call off the strike. When he ate the food, I realised he was depressed. He told me he did not eat for two days because of the results. I went into my kitchen to cook more food and the rest of them played games together in my room.”

    The late Nicholas, Adam said, stood up after the games to go home. He copied some movies from his friend’s laptop to keep his mind off the “bad” results.

    Adams added: “I prevailed on him to stay and use my laptop instead, but he said he also needed to take his bath and change clothes. We bade him goodbye only to get a call a few minutes later that he was lying dead on the roadside. He was going home with an intention to return in a short time. I don’t believe the story that he killed himself over the bad results. There are several options outside the medical school, which he could benefit from.”

    Andrew Iorkyaan, national president of Benue Medical Students Association (BEMSA), also debunked the suicide story, saying: “Suicide is completely out of the story. The late Nicholas could not have driven himself to death. It is unfortunate that the media reported suicide story.”

    Andrew said the students’ reaction should not have been interpreted to mean he committed suicide, adding that the reaction was to express their frustration on the circumstances surrounding the death.

    He went on: “Before the accident, we held a congress and discussed the results. Some people were analysing the event and concluded it was suicide, but we have been with him for nine years. Nicholas was a person who advised students and encouraged them. It is unfair to accuse someone, who cannot defend himself, of committing suicide.”

    President of Benue State University Medical Students Association (BESUMSA), Moses Agbulu, said it was wrong for people to conclude that Nicholas killed himself because of his withdrawal from the medical college.

    It was gathered that, after a congress held by students to discuss the results, the news of Nicholas’ death hit the campus. In anger, the students mobilised to the morgue of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where the body was being deposited and marched with a coffin to the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC’s) office. They spent a night at the office, demanding to see the VC.

    The students demanded the suspension of the withdrawal until the medical college started to graduate its students; organisation of re-sit examinations and provision of a definite date for the final accreditation of the teaching hospital.

    The VC, Prof Charity Angya, who met with students in front of her office, condoled with them, directing that the withdrawal be suspended. She also assured the students that the college would hold a graduation before the end of the year.

    Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the medical college is yet to graduate doctors. This has led to accumulation of classes over the years. The final year students are due to complete their programmes in the next two months, the final accreditation of the medical school is required for their graduation.

    Speaking at a requiem mass for the late Nicholas at the Good Shepherd Catholic Chaplaincy, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Simeon Adebisi, said the strike by resident doctors was responsible for the shifting of accreditation dates earlier fixed. He said the management was in touch with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and was expecting a visit in the second or third week of this month.

    The remains of the late Nicholas have since been buried in his hometown in OgbadiboLocal Government Area of Benue State. hat caused the road accident that killed Nicholas Idoko Ejugwu? The 400-Level Medicine and Surgery student of the Benue State University (BSU) reportedly committed suicide after he failed several times to pass his professional examinations. But, his friends and family are not happy with the theory, claiming the student’s death was an accident.

    It was widely reported that the late Nicholas resorted to suicide having been withdrawn from the medical school after 10 years in the college. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Nicholas was disturbed by results of pathology and pharmacology professional examinations released on July 22. He and three other students were advised to withdraw from the college, having exhausted the number of times a student can sit for the exams.

    Students dumped the body at the Vice-Chancellor’s Office. But, the family dismissed the speculation, saying Nicholas’ death was natural.

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Michael Ejugwu, the deceased’s father, said the accident was caused by a stationary truck.

    He said: “Our son did not committ suicide. He was driving on Abu King Shuluwa Road on high speed, without knowing that a truck had broken down in the middle of the road. When he saw the truck, he tried to manouvre but was faced by the road divider. Because he did not have his seat belt on, he was flung out and died on the spot. A passerby was crushed by the tossing car.”

    Adams Ocheme, the late Nicholas’ friend, who was with him a few minutes before the accident, also debunked the suicide story. He said: “We were four students, who went to see the Dean of Pre-clinical Science, Prof John Ibu, on Friday, July 24, to interact with him on our results, which were released two days earlier. But as the school was on strike, we did not meet the dean; so, we all returned to my off-campus hostel.

    “From there, we called the dean and he answered. It was Nicholas, who spoke to him. He told the dean we would like to meet him for advice on the outcome of the examination. Prof Ibu said lecturers were on strike but added that the results were provisional and we could make our complaints whenever the school resumed.

    “Before Nicholas left, we ate egg and bread together. We told him to stay around till Monday when we expected the lecturers would call off the strike. When he ate the food, I realised he was depressed. He told me he did not eat for two days because of the results. I went into my kitchen to cook more food and the rest of them played games together in my room.”

    The late Nicholas, Adam said, stood up after the games to go home. He copied some movies from his friend’s laptop to keep his mind off the “bad” results.

    Adams added: “I prevailed on him to stay and use my laptop instead, but he said he also needed to take his bath and change clothes. We bade him goodbye only to get a call a few minutes later that he was lying dead on the roadside. He was going home with an intention to return in a short time. I don’t believe the story that he killed himself over the bad results. There are several options outside the medical school, which he could benefit from.”

    Andrew Iorkyaan, national president of Benue Medical Students Association (BEMSA), also debunked the suicide story, saying: “Suicide is completely out of the story. The late Nicholas could not have driven himself to death. It is unfortunate that the media reported suicide story.”

    Andrew said the students’ reaction should not have been interpreted to mean he committed suicide, adding that the reaction was to express their frustration on the circumstances surrounding the death.

    He went on: “Before the accident, we held a congress and discussed the results. Some people were analysing the event and concluded it was suicide, but we have been with him for nine years. Nicholas was a person who advised students and encouraged them. It is unfair to accuse someone, who cannot defend himself, of committing suicide.”

    President of Benue State University Medical Students Association (BESUMSA), Moses Agbulu, said it was wrong for people to conclude that Nicholas killed himself because of his withdrawal from the medical college.

    It was gathered that, after a congress held by students to discuss the results, the news of Nicholas’ death hit the campus. In anger, the students mobilised to the morgue of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where the body was being deposited and marched with a coffin to the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC’s) office. They spent a night at the office, demanding to see the VC.

    The students demanded the suspension of the withdrawal until the medical college started to graduate its students; organisation of re-sit examinations and provision of a definite date for the final accreditation of the teaching hospital.

    The VC, Prof Charity Angya, who met with students in front of her office, condoled with them, directing that the withdrawal be suspended. She also assured the students that the college would hold a graduation before the end of the year.

    Since its inception more than 10 years ago, the medical college is yet to graduate doctors. This has led to accumulation of classes over the years. The final year students are due to complete their programmes in the next two months, the final accreditation of the medical school is required for their graduation.

    Speaking at a requiem mass for the late Nicholas at the Good Shepherd Catholic Chaplaincy, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Simeon Adebisi, said the strike by resident doctors was responsible for the shifting of accreditation dates earlier fixed. He said the management was in touch with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and was expecting a visit in the second or third week of this month.

    The remains of the late Nicholas have since been buried in his hometown in OgbadiboLocal Government Area of Benue State.

  • ‘Why medical students should play politics’

    ‘Why medical students should play politics’

    Many medical students shy away from politics because of their academic workload. Is that wise? No, say participants at a summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA). The participants argued that medical students lack leadership skills because they are apolitical, reports EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery, University of Benin).

    Medical students have been advised to participate in politics to acquire leadership skills for self development.

    Dr Phillip Ugbodaga, former chairman of Edo State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) made this plea at the Igbinedion University in Okada, Edo State penultimate week, during the maiden Leadership Summit organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association (NiMSA).

    Dr Ugbodaga spoke on Medicine and politics: Mentoring medical students for leadership, where he said medical profession lacked vibrant youth wing because students were not interested in politics. Noting that there was need for progressive leadership in the healthcare management system, Ugbodaga said there would be paradigm shift if students showed interest to fill the vacuum.

    He said: “Medical students and young doctors are seen as people who don’t need to socialise and engage in any other activities apart from medicine. Because of this, medical students receive no structured guidance about becoming effective community leaders; they only learn after leaving school. This is the reason students must take up leadership role while in school.”

    Observing that other professions have representations in national politics, the former NMA chair said medical students were always conscious of academic workload they needed to cover. This, he said, was the reason they failed to develop their leadership skills.

    “They just pass through medical school without any thing to hold on to. If we have enough doctors in the National Assembly, they will push for laws that will improve healthcare delivery to Nigerians. We have health bills pending without little hope it would be passed into law. The bill would benefit medical students, because it would encourage exchange programme,” he said.

    Dr Amina Okhakhu, president of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) in the state, spoke on Medical career and life outside medicine: Finding a balance. She told students to always balance their studies with extracurricular activities they engage in.

    She said: “In medical school, the struggle for a balance between academics and leadership role is usually a difficult task. Medical students in leadership position find reasons to question their choice to participate in politics when faced with the demands of leadership.  At times, medical students get disapproval from friends and lecturers to participate in politics. All these challenges reduce the number of medical students in leadership role on campus.”

    While getting involved in leadership, Dr Okhakhu said students must not allow their primary aim in medical school to suffer.

    Earlier, Stephani Oni-Ogunbor, NiMSA’s Vice President for Internal Affairs, said the declining participation of medical students in politics informed the programme. She said the association had an objective to see that medical students getting involved in politics.

    “During the summit, we seek to identify concerns and priorities with respect to leadership in medical practice. We will deliberate on possible components of successful leadership intervention for medical students and derive the possible means of integrating leadership training in the medical curriculum,”Stephani said.

    The event also featured power summit, proposal writing session and fund raising. These were followed by a football match between the host and the delegates. The match ended 2-0 in favour of IUOMSA. There was also dinner and Red Cross training for the students.

    Emmanuel Edigberhi, a participant from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), praised NiMSA for floating the summit. He said he was marvelled by the speakers’ message, adding that he was better equipped for leadership role. He said the summit provided him opportunity to relax and build friendship with other medical students.

  • Medical students celebrate NDDC’s hostel

    Medical students celebrate NDDC’s hostel

    Medical students at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital last Monday trooped out  for the inauguration of the 522-bed hostel built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), reports IBRAHIM ADAM.

    •The hostle
    •The hostle

    Rain, often seen as a blessing, heralded the commissioning of the 522-bed space hostel built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. The rain could not deter the medical students, who were excited by the prospect of moving into a new ultra-modern hostel.

    Their mood was aptly captured by Victor Emanah, a 300-Level student of Medicine and Surgery. He said: “The new hostel is a magnificent edifice. It is one of its kind and it is truly lovely and quiet environment that befits medical students. We cannot wait to move into this inviting and enticing hall of residence.”

    Another student, Miss Jessica Bakpo, agreed that the hostel “is in a class of its own. It is bigger, better and very imposing. It certainly has more to offer than the existing hostels in our university.”

    The NDDC hostel boasts of amenities, such as, a giant overhead water tank linked to a solar-water treatment plant. It also has spaces for supermarkets and shops; administrative offices; cybercafé; games rooms and specially-fitted rooms for physically challenged students.

    Students who live off campus were also upbeat about the hostel. One of them, Francis Ojike, said the NDDC’s intervention is a soothing balm. He noted that students forced to live off-campus because of accomodation challenge are susceptible to extraneous influences, such as cultism and other vices.

    “Some landlords take advantage of the situation to provide sub-standard accommodation at cut-throat rates. In many cases, such accommodation lack the necessary atmosphere for learning as they are usually in high density areas of the town where noise pollution is a constant factor. Besides, they do not provide basic amenities such as water and electricity,” he said.

    The medical student, who hails from Imo State, said off-campus accommodation should be discouraged because of its negative consequences. “We have lived with it because we had no choice. So, we thank God that NDDC has come to our rescue,” he said.

    The ceremony attracted the cream of the intellectual community in Akwa Ibom State and members of NDDC’s Governing Board led by its chairman, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel was represented by his deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo.

    Emmanual said, the massive complex would increase the  teaching hospital’s capacity to train more doctors in a conducive environment. “This will improve the provision of health services to the people. We are grateful to the NDDC for helping us touch the lives of people in the state. I am confident that the commission will continue to meet the expectations of the people,” he said.

    NDDC Managing Director Sir Bassey Dan-Abia said the commission was determined to complete all on-going projects as directed by the Federal Government. He said of the 19 student hostels being built by the NDDC across the Niger Delta, only one was completed when the current board was inaugurated on December 16, 2013. “Since we came in, four more hostels have been commissioned and four others are ready. We have commissioned similar hostels in Imo State University, Federal University of Science and Technology, Owerri, University of Benin and Delta State University, Abraka,” he said.

    Ewa-Henshaw said the second proto-type hostel at the main campus of the university would be completed soon.

    UNIUYO Vice Chancellor, Prof Comfort Ekpo described the hostel as the biggest and the most modern in the university.

    “The NDDC has given us a wonderful edifice. This is the best hostel in our university today and the standard is world class. Indeed, the NDDC has given us something to be proud of,” she said.

    The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Etete Peters, said NDDC’s intervention had given the university a solid foundation that would enhance medical students’ training. “The hostel will help to establish the hospital as a first class tertiary health facility in the region,” he said.

    Chief Patrick Bassey, a representative of the host community, Ikot Efoi in Uyo local government area, described the hostel as an “intimidating power house that has brought the high and mighty to our community.”

  • Medical students advise pupils

    Medical students advise pupils

    To ensure secondary pupils are informed on health matters, the 300-Level members of Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS) of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have held an outreach at Uselu Secondary School in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The outreach, which was lasted for over two hours, last Thursday, had no fewer than 35 pupils in attendance. The medical students met with the pupils to sensitise them on health matters, career counselling, social vices and salvation message.

    According to the association’s Assistant Mission Secretary, Emmanuel Afesiumen, the outreach was part of activities aimed at educating young people on community health. The students had opportunity to practise health communication, which they were taught in community medicine.

    Addressing the pupils in their various classes, members of CMDAS told them to sun vices and drug addiction, which they said were detrimental to their personal wellbeing. They advised the pupils to study hard and keep their environment neat to reduce the tendencies illness.

    The event also featured salvation talk, where the pupils were told to build personal relationship with God and lead a life of selfless service. Some of the pupils became born again, promising never to go back to their immoral lifestyle.

    The outreach also provided an opportunity for the pupils to seek advice on issues affecting them. Some spoke about bodily changes and career choices; the medical students advised them on ways they could solve the challenges.

    The university students presented gifts to the school. One them, Samson Oshomoh, said he was happy to participate in the outreach. “I feel fulfilled because I just mentored and inspired some young people. I am proud being a medical student. I hope the pupils take what they have learnt home,” he said.

  • UNIUYO seeks more medical students

    UNIUYO seeks more medical students

    •Graduates 172 in five years

    The University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, has called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to increase its quota of medical students because of its increased capacity.

    Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof Memfin Ekpo in Uyo, made the call during the graduation of 27 new doctors, bringing the number of doctors trained by the university to 172. The Eighth Oath-taking held in the Entrepreneurial Centre of the university’s Town Campus.

    Re-inviting the MDCN for a re-evaluation, Ekpo said the university could take more than the 50 slots allotted it by the council, following improvement in facilities and manpower.

    Appreciating God for His mercies, Prof Ekpo, said the agony the college faced during its embryonic years was over.

    “Now the road is smoother, we can now know when the next set would graduate, all things being equal.  We thank God for not allowing any death to be recorded in the last 14 years,” he said.

    The Provost thanked the MDCN for its understanding regarding the development of the Medical School.

    Registrar of the MDCN, Dr. Abdulmumini Ibrahim, promised to look into the requests.

    In her address, Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Comfort Ekpo said she hosted the first oath-taking on December 8, 2011 and within five years as VC, graduated 172 doctors trained in eight batches.

    She noted that all academic programmes run by the college had full or interim accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the MDCN.

    She attributed the successes of the college to what she called the “good foundation laid by committed medical elders and fathers of Medical School” to whom she remains very grateful.

    She thanked workers of the college for fully utilising the improved facilities to achieve the desired results.

    To help indigent students, the Vice Chancellor mentioned that the university has established a Student Welfare Scheme code named ‘Hope Scheme’ which provides financial support to them. She said it has helped some of the new doctors to complete their studies.

    She appealed to Nigerians home and abroad to invest in research by instituting chairs and foundations on health care.

    Professor of Paediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Illorin Teaching Hospital, Olugbenga Mokuolu, FWACP, delivered the keynote titled: “The oath and the coat.”

    Mokuolu advised the new doctors to have a positive disposition to the future, be compassionate to mankind, build strong relationships and diversify in career pursuit among others.

    Ubom Imaobong, the best graduating student, took the oath along with: Efiok Akwamfon Ezekiel, Oreva Amake, Uti Wisdom Sunday, Asuk-Enim Ejiro Agbor, Aniefiok Ndifreke Udoh, James Paulinus Christopher, Ntukidem Udeme Boniface, Itoro Silvanus Silva, Moses Ubong Etim, Essien Kingsley Antigha, Udioko Mfreke Ime and Okeke Jeunta Oluchi.

    Others are Doctors Ofor Edith, Bassey Aniekeme Sunday, Inyang Andrew Christopher, Ogedemgbe Justus Erhumwunse, Okonnah Aniekeme Edet, Okon Etoro-Abasi Aniefiok, Ekpenyong Charles Raphel, Ntia Etifiok Victor, Afanghide Joseph Peter, Nwigwe Nathaniel Chibuzo, Ekanem Uduakobong Donald, Enyiekpon Michael Udongo, Usenekong Henry Edet and Akudinobi Ifeanyi Augustine.

  • Medical students get leaders

    Medical students get leaders

    Members of Imo State University Medical Students Association (UMSA) went to the polls last week to elect their leaders. EKENE AHANEKU (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    Medical students of the Imo State University (IMU) in Owerri have gone to the polls to elect their leaders . The election was held on the Owerri and Orlu campuses.

    Preclinical students voted at Histology Laboratory in the Anatomy Department in Owerri; clinical students did theirs at the medical complex of Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) in Orlu.

    Forty-six students in 300-Level and 30 others in 400-Level were accredited when the process started at 10.45am.

    While the first 46 accredited voters was casting their ballots, more of their colleagues in 300-Level arrived for accreditation. They were told to wait at noon. Their 100-Level counterparts took their turns at 12.45pm.

    A fresh ballot box was reserved for all clinical students in Orlu during the exercise to enable them vote separately. The first round of voting ended, after all preclinical students had voted.  The same process was adopted at the IMSUTH where clinical students voted.

    The Electoral Committee Chairman, Elochukwu Obi, a final year student, ended the process at 1pm, and collation began. Over 253 students voted in Owerri; 215 voted in Orlu making a total of over 469 voters.

    When the results were announced, Bright Nwatamole emerged UMSA president, with 275 votes to beat Ebube Eze, who got 187 votes. Edith Nwadike emerged Vice President 1 unopposed, but the Vice president II, Tobenna Ofor, beat Nelson Ogu with total votes with 390 votes.

    Miracle Echebiri is Assistant Secretary General; Declan Abams, Director of Welfare; Uzoma Obasi, Assistant Director of Welfare; Jackson Nwosu, Director of Socials; Clinton Uzukwu, Assistant Director of Socials and Vivian Eguogwu, Assistant Financial Secretary.

    Love Amaugo, an unopposed candidate for  Assistant Treasurer, could not garner the constitutionally required 75 per cent of votes. The electoral committee chairman advised her to go for by-election.

    Bright hailed his colleagues for electing him as their leaders, saying: “The whole process took time and resources. I feel very happy, because at the end of the day, I emerged victorious. I really thank all medical students for considering me worthy to lead them.”

    Ebere Okpara, a member of the electoral committee, said: “We have done our job without fear of favour from any quarters. The contestants have described the process as free and fair. But, it was not easy travelling from Owerri to Orlu every day to sensitise students on the electoral process. The just concluded election will be followed by another round of elections for Student Representatives’ Council members. After this, we can now go back to classroom for our studies.”

    Nnamdi Okpara, a 300-Level student, said: “The best candidates have emerged in a free and fair election. I can say without fear of contradiction that there was no irregularity in the exercise. But, even if there is, it could not be more 0.1 per cent, which is insignificant.”