Don’t Politicise Approved Quota For Medical, Dental Schools, Wike Warns

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) not to politicise approved quota for Medical and Dental Schools in Nigeria.
He stated this when a delegation of the accreditation team of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to the Rivers State University College of Medical Sciences, paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
Wike urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to resist playing politics with approved quota for Medical and Dental Schools in Nigeria, particularly the Rivers State University College of Medical Sciences where huge investments have been made in the provision of requisite facilities.
He maintained that based on the facilities on ground at the Rivers State University College of Medical Sciences, MDCN’s approval quota for the institution should not be less than 150.
Wike explained that the deliberate investment in the state College of Medical Sciences was geared towards making it the best in the country.
The governor said the health care system in Nigeria requires very serious attention because the huge amount of foreign exchange expended by Nigerians on medical tourism overseas was shocking.
To this end, he urged governments at all levels to prioritise investments in the health sector.
“The health care system in Nigeria requires very serious attention. It is unfortunate where we are. I don’t want to comment on people who are travelling for medical check up. I have not travelled for the past two years. If we have all these things here, why do we have to travel? We have all it takes to provide it.
“Why will I go out to do my check up (overseas) when I have all the facilities in Government House? I don’t need it. Everything that is required for me to undergo any test is here. The resources, we have it. Why can’t we provide it for our people?”, Wike asked.