The coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Muhammad Pate, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensure improved healthcare delivery in the country.
Mr Pate made this known during the Investiture of the 24th College President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) on Friday in Lagos.
Mr Pate was represented at the event by Abisola Adegoke, the director, hospital services, ministry of health.
Anthony Ikefuna assumed position as the 24th president of the college.
“I believe that we all know that the ministry is not sleeping. The ministry is not folding hands.
“In the area of policy, the ministry is making efforts, but when it comes to implementation, it is not only about the ministry, the people concerned must be willing to stay.
“They must be willing to accept whatever the government is able to offer.
“I am not saying that we should settle for something insignificant, but I am saying that we will continue to improve. We will continue to strive for excellence,” he said.
Speaking on the Japa syndrome, the minister said there were a number of factors pushing health workers to do so.
He, however, urged health workers not to lose hope in the country.
“We have a number of factors that are pushing people, we also have a few of them that also want to return, but we should not lose hope.
“We should not give up as far as the country is concerned. We should all continue to contribute in our own little way. It is only then that we can make a positive impact.
“It is only then that even people that are abroad would want to truly return, and it is not just to return, but to return to come and stay, to also be willing to share the knowledge they have acquired. We are all in this together,” he said.
He added that all hands were on deck, urging them to believe in the system.
“I really want to assure that truly the government is involved, but we all must be involved, because we desire that this change must happen and it must happen in our time,” he said.
The minster said the NPMCN had since 1979 remained the bedrock of medical excellence in the nation.
“With thousands of fellows and hundreds of doctors of medicine, this institution is the primary engine room for the specialists who man our tertiary hospitals and mentor the next generation of healers.
“To the outgoing leadership, we want to thank him for his stewardship and for sustaining the mandate of the college through the evolving health challenges.
“To the new president, Dr Ikefuna, as the 24th president, comes at a pivotal moment.
“The Federal Government’s Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative relies heavily on the quality of human resources for health,” he said.
He said even though the number was dwindling every day, the ministry would continue to put the necessary measures in place.
“Even those that have gone will also see the need to return. We look forward to your leadership to enhance residency training to align with the requirements of contemporary medicine and digital health,” he said.
He added that the ministry was committed to supporting the college in its quest to maintain the highest standards of postgraduate medical education.
The president, in his inaugural address, appreciated the past presidents of the college who had contributed their quota during their respective tenures.
“The summation of their positive contributions have brought our college to the enviable height that we are witnessing and enjoying today,” he said.
Mr Ikefuna assured everyone that the new college administration under his leadership would continue to reap from the wisdom of the past presidents’ forum.
“This wisdom will aid us in navigating the present and anticipated challenges of College while we explore new frontiers and terrains,” he said.
While talking about the college’s challenges, he said that the college needed an accelerated establishment of Computer Based Test Centre (CBT) to improve training and assessment.
This, he said, would strengthen its training and examination processes
Mr Ikefuna added that the proposed CBT centre would enhance monitoring and evaluation of test items, while also ensuring strict adherence to approved examination timelines.
According to him, examinations are currently conducted at designated centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones for Primary and Part I candidates.
“However, recent adjustments to the examination process have increased the need for a centralised testing facility within the college.
“The Senate of the college recently suspended eligibility examinations for Part I due to a declining number of candidates.
“As a result, all Part I candidates are now allowed to sit for their examinations in Lagos without prior screening,” he said.
He said there was also a need for clinical skills and simulation laboratories in selected centres.
“This use will facilitate skill acquisition, and enhance competency assessment. This will improve the clinical decision-making processes of our trainees and invariably improve training and patient outcomes.
“As part of our efforts to connect to the global world, we will desire an effective Information and Communication Technology enabled telemedicine centre in the college.
“This subset of health specifically delivers training, expertise, and information remotely, where distance is a critical hindering factor,” he said.
(NAN)