NMA To Partner RSG On New Medical School

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State chapter,
has indicated its interest to support the state government in its plan to build
a new medical school in the state.

The newly elected chairman of the association, Ibitroko
Korubo, made this commitment in a chat with The Tide, at the NMA Secretariat,
Port Harcourt, shortly after his assumption of office .

He said, “NMA intends to come in by being part of the
project from the onset, that is from the planning to the infrastructure, to
planning the curriculum and manpower”

Dr. Korubo, explained that as doctors, the NMA would know
better what it would involve in setting up a medical school, stressing that a
medical college requires special curriculum and assured that they would ensure
that the Nigerian University Commission guidelines are followed absolutely.

He also said that they would ensure that the appropriate
infrastructure to accommodate the stipulated number of candidates.

According to him, “The NMA would help in looking at the
infrastructure to ensure that they suit the students, we would also ensure that
admissions don’t go beyond the capacity of the infrastructure and also ensure
that the environment where the school would be located, would be conclusive for
learning”.

Furthermore, he said the NMA would also be involved in the
provision of manpower by encouraging its members to take up part-time teaching
in the school at very little cost to the government.

He added that NMA would also play a role in policies that
would be made concerning the duration of the school.

He emphasised that the NMA would work a hand in hand with
the government”, from the initiation to the finishing stage, explaining that
the idea to start a medical school in the state had been the “dream of NMA”.

Dr. Korubo lamented the present ratio of one medical doctor
to 20,000 people in the state, saying that the school, when functional would go
along way to reducing the burden and would help ensure better healthcare
delivery services.

Meanwhile, the state government has already set plans in
motion by having talks with Indian authorities on how to establishing the
proposed new medical school.

The governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, who disclosed this
to the people of the state, said the new college, when started would provide
the required manpower to man the numerous health facilities build around the
state, by his administration.

Tonye Nria-Dappa