Confab tasks physiologists on role in health care delivery

The 35th Annual Scientific Conference of the Physiological Society of Nigeria (PSN) has tasked physiologists on their role in health care delivery.

The conference, hosted by the Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, tagged Coal City 2015, was preceded by a pre-conference workshop on basic research methodology and was attended by several young scientists from various Nigerian universities.

Conference with the theme “The role of Physiologist in health care delivery’’ was attended by over 300 delegates from various universities across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

President of the Association, Prof. Arthur Nwafor, and Chairman Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Prof. Bond Anyaehie, in a communiqué said the importance and contributions of physiology to health care delivery system especially in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. This, they said, is further highlighted by the quality of research presented at the conference, which are not only nationally relevant but also addressed globally needs.

The conference also deliberated on a number of issues of national importance including the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) letter to the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities on the teaching of the subject of Physiology in Nigerian Medical Schools.

After exhaustive discussions, the society adopted the following resolutions: “That the association rejects in its entirety the directives by the MDCN to Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to completely replace all non-medically qualified lecturers in Basic Medical Sciences with medical doctors by 2019 and commended the response of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities’ urging the MDCN to stop meddling into the medical training but rather should concentrate on its regulatory role of medical practice in line with the Act establishing the MDCN.

“Unity of purpose amongst all trainers of health care professionals in the country to avoid unnecessary polarization and division. The diversity in the qualification of teachers of health care professionals should be a source of strength bringing about significant improvements in medical research and thus a better-trained health care personnel.”

The communiqué also recommended the establishment of a regulatory body to be known as the Physiology Council of Nigeria (PCN) to further strengthen professionalization, specialization, and functionalization, to improve physiology teaching and practice in Nigeria as well as the holistic review of the current B.Sc. Physiology curriculum in Nigerian universities should be carried out.

The Conference was declared open by the vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Prof. Benjamin Ozumba.

After a welcome address by the President of the Society, Prof. Arthur Nwafor and a goodwill message by the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe, a Keynote Lecture was delivered by Prof. Frank Akpuaka.

After the opening ceremony formalities, the conference commenced with a symposium titled: The role of Physiologists beyond lecturing and research with subtopics on Professionalization of Physiology, Specialization and functionalization in Physiology, Proposal for registration of a Physiology Council in Nigeria and as well as opportunities for an internship in Physiology.
The plenary and scientific sessions of the conference witnessed over 160 presentations in both oral and poster forms.

Meanwhile, the PSN congratulated Muhamadu Buhari on his election as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and urged him to bring about positive changes in the medical education especially as it concerns basic medical education in Nigeria.

The Society also extended its appreciation to the Governor of Enugu State chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Prof. Benjamin Ozumba for providing a conducive environment for the successful hosting of the Conference.