The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring improved healthcare delivery in the country.
Pate made this known during the investiture of the 24th President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) on Friday in Lagos.
He was represented at the event by Dr. Abisola Adegoke, Director of Hospital Services in the Ministry of Health.
Prof. Anthony Ikefuna assumed office as the 24th President of the college.
“I believe that we all know that the ministry is not sleeping. The ministry is not folding its 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 emigrate.
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 who 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 abroad would want to truly return—not just to return, but to stay and share the knowledge they have acquired. We are all in this together,” he said.
He added that all hands were on deck and urged them to believe in the system.
“I really want to assure you that the government is truly 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 minister 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 evolving health challenges.
“To the new president, Prof. 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 that even though the number of specialists was dwindling every day, the ministry would continue to put necessary measures in place.
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“Even those who have gone will 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.
In his inaugural address, the president appreciated the past presidents of the college who had contributed during their respective tenures.
“The summation of their positive contributions has brought our college to the enviable height that we are witnessing and enjoying today,” he said.
Ikefuna assured everyone that the new college administration under his leadership would continue to draw from the wisdom of the past presidents’ forum.
“This wisdom will aid us in navigating the present and anticipated challenges of the college while we explore new frontiers and terrains,” he said.
While discussing the college’s challenges, he said the college needed an accelerated establishment of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre to improve training and assessment.
This, he said, would strengthen its training and examination processes.
Ikefuna added that the proposed CBT centre would enhance monitoring and evaluation of test items while 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 centralized 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 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 desire an effective Information and Communication Technology-enabled telemedicine centre in the college.
“This subset of healthcare specifically delivers training, expertise, and information remotely, where distance is a critical hindering factor,” he said.
