Pro-chancellor wants increase quota for training of doctors

Pro-chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande, has called on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to, as a matter of urgency increase the quota granted to medical schools in the country, especially the private universities training medical doctors, in order to increase the number of physicians in the country.

Akande who said the ratio of one doctor to 3, 500 patients obtained in the country was grossly inadequate for the teeming population, and incapable of assuring healthy living.

Speaking at the 14th convocation of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, he said the MDCN since its inception has inducted only 82,000 medical doctors, some of which are even practicing outside the country.

At the event, where the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) was one of the recipients of honorary doctorate degrees, Akande decried the difficulties encountered by young doctors in finding spaces for housemanship, which is a compulsory requirement for them to be fully registered as medical practitioners.

According to him, some young graduates sometimes spend 12 to 18 months before finding a place for house jobs, and those who fail to get a place for housemanship within two years are required to write the Medical and Dental Council of Nigerian’s Examination to validate their licenses.

He said the main reason for decreasing internship positions was the inability of the hospitals to fund the approved positions. Ogunwusi, who responded on behalf of other recipients, thanked the university for the honour done them. Others honoured include Alahji Aminu Baba Nabegu, and Pastor Blessed Osarenren Ighiwi.