Better Hospital Resources Can Stem Medical Practitioners’ Exodus – Olamitoye.
By Adewale Owoade
The founder of Ibadan Central Hospital, Dr Abib Olamitoye has said that providing adequate equipment and resources in Nigerian hospitals can help reduce the emigration of medical practitioners.
He stated this in Ibadan, at the 40th anniversary of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, MBBS, and Bachelor of Dental Surgery, BDS, graduating class of 1985 College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, U.I.
Dr. Olamitoye who is also the Chairman of the MBBS & BDS Class of 1985 40th anniversary and reunion local organising committee, cited financial struggles as a major reason for doctors emigrating.
He noted that inadequate equipment and resources in Nigerian hospitals hinder quality diagnosis and patient care.
“People want better life, the origin is poor economy poorly managed financial resources, and they are needed elsewhere where they can be able to have compensation for the years and pains they have had.
“When you come out as a medical practitioner, you need quality equipment and this can only be rendered by a self responsible government, when this instrument are not available you cannot make quality diagnosis.
“This is another reason why people would rather go abroad where this facility are available so that the call to duty we have bearing or meaning,” Olamitoye said
While speaking to journalists, the keynote speaker at the event, Dr Tony Rapu, challenged medical students to maximize different seasons of life, cultivate resilience, and be bold in the face of challenges.
“In the morning of your life cultivate resilience, be strong, be enduring, be bold, be courageous and stand through.
“There is nothing we can do about people who want to find purpose beyond the shores of this country.
“We are not all called to travel, some are called to stay in this environment, endure the challenges and use those challenges as opportunities to make an impact,” Rapu said.
Earlier, in his address, Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, represented by Chairman Medical and Advisory Committee, Prof Olabukola Adesina, commended the class for their dedication to the noble profession of healing and serving humanity.
“I commend this class for its dedication to the noble of profession of healing and serving humanity.
“Your contributions to healthcare are undoubtedly improved the life’s if countless individuals.
“I look forward to witnessing the continued impact of this class collective expertise and passion.
“I have to say that UCH is ever ready to partner with this eminent class as well as other classes in delivery of the hospital mandat of training, research and clinical services,” Otegbayo stated.
Also, the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, who was represented by the Deputy Provost, Prof Samuel Olaleye, praised the class for their contributions to healthcare and society
“Beyond these specific achievements, your class has collectively contributed to the betterment of society in countless ways.
“You have served as healthcare leaders during crises, advocates for health equity, champions of public health initiatives, mentors to younger professionals, and selfless donors towards improving the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
“Your diverse career paths have demonstrated the versatility and broad applicability of the education you received in the College of Medicine,” Ogundiran said.(NAN)
