Experts call for introduction of Bio-Engineering courses in tertiary institutions

Prof. Juwon Arotiba, Dean, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, has called for the introduction of Bio-Medical Engineering courses in more tertiary institutions in the country.

Arotiba made the call in an interview with the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan.
He said if more tertiary institutions would introduce such courses, the problems of inadequate and ineffective medical equipment in Nigerian hospitals would be resolved.

Arotiba defined bio-medical engineering as biological or medical application of engineering equipment.
“It is the application of biological techniques (as genetic recombination) to create modified versions of organisms (as crops), especially.
“The problem of procurement of medical equipment, lack of spare parts for the equipment and technicians to handle them will gradually be resolved.

“Although only few universities of technologies and schools of medical laboratories offer similar courses, more should introduce them in their curricula.

“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria have started looking into this issue,” he said.

Dr Adefemi Afolabi, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, University College Hospital, Ibadan, had recently said that medical tourism thrived in Nigeria due to incessant breaking down of equipment in the nation’s hospitals.

He said that although medical equipment is available in most hospitals, the number of technicians and engineers to handle them were not commensurable.

“There is therefore the need for relevant authorities to design curricula to cater for the equipment.

“If this is done, the importation of heavy medical equipment, which has become big drains on the nation’s economy, will reduce,’’ said Afolabi.