Monday 19 September 2016

Medical postgraduate fellowship remains highest qualification for NPMCN fellows, says Olaitan


Olaitan
President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), Dr. Ademola Abayomi Olaitan, insists that medical postgraduate fellowship remains the highest qualification for NPMCN fellows.
 
Reacting to the controversy on the relativity of postgraduate fellowships in medicine and dentistry vis-à-vis PhD in the Nigerian University System (NUS), during its 2016 pre-convocation briefing, Olaitan said holders of postgraduate fellowships do not necessarily need to possess doctoral qualifications to achieve career progression in the NUS.
 
He stressed that the college would engage concerned stakeholders on the matter, in order to ensure the controversy does not hinder the progression of academics in these fields.  

Describing the controversy, which sometimes stall holders of medical postgraduate fellowships from attaining vice chancellorship for not possessing PhD as needless, he assured that a policy position would soon be taken on the issue.
 
He said, “Recently there have been comments on the usefulness or otherwise of clinical teachers possessing the PhD to teach, or to progress in the university system. Our college reiterates that fellowship is the highest qualification needed in the practice and training of medical doctors, and specialists in the health system as obtains globally. As a responsible government agency, we would engage all relevant stakeholders to put this controversy to rest.”
 
Regretting that the college, which trains specialists’ doctors for the country, retains needed manpower, and prevents human capital flight has not been availed adequate attention, he said, “Postgraduate medical and dental education in Nigeria is passing through a turbulent period. While funding is low, the frequent work stoppages in various teaching hospitals does not allow for trainees fulfillment of the prescribed minimum period of clinical placements and rotations that qualifiy them for examinations. High investments in medical education by government will yield high quality of patient’s care.
 
Despite the challenges, Olaitan stated that the college is breaking new grounds in its bid to ensure global best practices, as the institution’s Senate recently approved commencement of Computer-Based Test (CBT) for March/April/May 2017 Fellowships Examinations.
 
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, will be conferred with an honourary fellowship award today at the convocation, in recognition of his relentless advocacy for improved healthcare in the country, while Dr. Michael Akintayo Bankole, and Dr. Kamil Olanipekun Alausa, will also be conferred with distinguished fellowship awards.

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