Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Prof Lawrence Ezemonye on Thursday said the institution has contributed immensely to boost and improve the country’s healthcare system following the training of over 725 professional nurses into the health sector.

Ezemonye made the remark during the 8th Professional Oath-taking/Induction ceremony of Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.SC) Graduates of Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State.

He said the institution for over two decades has maintained the path of dominance and prominence in the academic sphere, following the graduating of over 725 nurses practicing within and outside the country.

“To date, the Department of Nursing of the University has graduated about 725 nurses practicing within and outside the country. Happily, information about the superlative performance of these nurses in the field has continued to attract applications for admission into IUO Nursing programme over time without IUO been able to meet the demand.

“Incidentally, the demand for nurses is on the increase and IUO remains the choice destination for prospective nurese. The university is willing and able to contribute to reducing the deficit of nurses in Nigeria and beyond.

“It is against this backdrop that the Senate of the University recently approved the upgrade of the Department of Nursing to a College of Nursing to facilitate quota increase which we have applied for and awaiting approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria., “Ezemonye said.

In his remarks, Dean, School of Basic Medical Sciences of the institution, Prof Dominic Osaghae charged the inductees on professionalism saying the nursing profession is the bedrock of the nation’s healthcare system.

Guest Lecturer, Prof. Anthonia Ukamaka Chinweuba of the Department of Nursing Sciences University of Nigeria (UNN), who spoke on the topic, ” The Place of the Nurse in Global Healthcare Delivery System”, emphasized the need for hardwork on the part of the nurses in delivering quality healthcare services.