The Postgraduate Medical College in Nigeria has produced more than 286 fellows in paediatrics since its inception 35 years ago, Prof. Mu’uta Ibrahim has said.

Prof Ibrahim of the Department of Paediatrics, Bayero University, Kano, made this known last Friday in a paper on “Paediatric Training in Nigeria” at the 26th International Paediatrics Association Congress in Johannesburg.

He said the fellows from the college were besides a similar number of graduands from the West African College, many of whom had been of immense value in enhancing child care in the country.

The don said the graduates had been able to provide leadership on all issues of child life and health in the country.

He added that in spite of the problem of brain drain, many of them had remained in the country training the next generation of peadiatricians.

Prof Ibrahim commended the federal government for localising the training of paediatricians with the setting up of the medical college, noting that it would have been “catastrophic” if it had been delayed.

The professor, however, said the training was still beset with numerous challenges which had prompted a review of curriculum.

He listed challenges to include insufficient sub-specialist training facilities, decline in quality of graduates, poor pedagogic skills of trainers and the abandonment of the one year attachment abroad among others.

Prof Ibrahim said a committee of experts set up by faculties to review the curriculum has since submitted its recommendations which were set to come into operation in the national college in November.

He stated that the proposed changes to the curriculum, including assessment methods, have the potential to produce better paediatricians in terms of competence and versatility.