As Ikefuna emerges 24th President of medical college

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has called on the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to take a leading role in preparing health professionals for the future of medicine in the country.

He also stressed the need to strengthen residency training programmes so they align with the demands of contemporary medical practice and the growing influence of digital health.

By positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, the college is expected to drive innovation, ensure global competitiveness, and equip practitioners with the skills required to meet evolving healthcare challenges.

He stated this on Friday at the investiture of Prof. Anthony Ikefuna as 24th President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) at the college ground In Ijanikin, Lagos.

Pate, who was represented by Director of Hospital Service, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abisola Adegoke, said the college since 1979 has remained the bedrock of medical excellence in the country, noting that with thousands of fellows and hundreds of doctors of medicine, the institution is the primary engine room for the specialists, who manned our tertiary hospitals and mentor the next generation of healers.

He said there is a need to combat the brain drain by creating a setting in which specialists feel appreciated and intellectually engaged in the country.

“We also look forward to your leadership being able to fortify research by guaranteeing that medical solutions in Nigeria are grounded in evidence and competency on a global scale. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare views the Nigerian postgraduate medical college not only as an examining body, but as a strategic partner. We are committed to supporting the college of medical education in Nigeria,” he assured.

Pate said the government will continue to put necessary measures in place to encourage doctors and even get those that have migrated abroad to see the need and reason to return.

President, National Postgraduate Medical college of Nigeria (NPMCN), Prof. Anthony Ikefuna, said the call to lead the College for him is not just an attainment of personal milestone but a continuation of service to strengthen postgraduate medical training in the institution and the country.

Under his leadership, Ikefuna said the college will create opportunities for enhanced awareness for Residents (Associate Fellows of the College) to view the college as the postgraduate medical and dental institution of choice in their examinations.

He welcomed contributions on feasible innovations that will enable the college to continually stand out globally among other institutions with the similar vision without compromising her reputation in postgraduate medical training.

The president promised that during his tenure the college would work to increase her visibility with the introduction of periodic newsletters, start of bimonthly online lectures, encourage Fellows to use the college as affiliation address in communication, and establish a friendly website that is responsive to activities in faculties.

Ikefuna also promised to restructure the college and faculties for effective operations, sustain standard setting methods in examinations and implement their quality assurance exercise, and ensure continued collaboration with other institutions and postgraduate medical colleges to enhance teamwork, while fostering a more efficient training programme for optimal healthcare delivery with improved patient outcomes.

He, however, identified challenges facing the institution, calling for the establishment of a computer based test centre on the college, clinical skills and simulation laboratories on selected centres, information and communication technology enabled telemedicine centre, and guest accommodation within the college.

Ikefuna added that the college needs to improve its road network and lightening arrangements for effective movement of people, vehicles and to enhance security.