A Nephrologist, Prof. Babatunde Salako, has called on the government to ensure robust infrastructural development that supports global best standard practices for a resilient health system.
Salako made the call in Ibadan on Thursday at the 56th Annual General Meeting/Scientific Conference of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), UCH, Ibadan, in collaboration with Shalina Healthcare.
The conference is titled “The Making of an Ideal Specialist”.
Salako, of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, urged the government to provide enough funds for training specialised doctors.
He expressed the need for the government to train the top 10 per cent of the resident’s specialist doctors from postgraduate medical colleges.
This, he added, was necessary for Nigeria to keep up with cutting-edge research and medical knowledge and technologies.
Salako emphasised that postgraduate medical colleges must ensure constant review of training curricula to reflect progress and development in medical education and research.
“The government must face headlong the hydra-headed problems of leadership election and appointment in teaching hospitals and universities within Nigeria.
“This is to avoid discriminatory advertisement for leadership positions and ensure inclusivity, and level playing ground for all.
“This is the only way to make an ideal specialist medical doctor,” he said.
He also described an ideal specialist doctor as one who effortlessly combines medical expertise with interpersonal skills and personal qualities.
Salako says the specialist doctor should engage in continuous learning and self-reflection while ensuring professional growth.
The chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, called for improved welfare for medical practitioners to curb the ‘japa syndrome’.
Adewole emphasised that a specialist must be both global and local to be ideal; a perfect blend of a scientist and clinician.
“It’s always easy to identify the potential of ideal specialists because they demonstrate the required aptitudes and tendencies,” he said.
Earlier, the UCH ARD President, Dr John Oladapo, remarked that the ideal medical specialist must be adept, adroit and equipped to face future challenges.
“When we meet on the other side as ideal specialists, I hope this executive council and today’s event will help shape you into that ideal specialist.
“Let’s pay close attention and make the best of this moment that can potentially change our lives for good,” Oladapo said.
The highlights of the occasion include the introduction of the Shalina Panel and the presentation of awards to Salako and Adewole.
NAN
