The vice chancellor of the University of Medical science, Ondo, Ondo State, Professor Friday Okonofua, has assured that the establishment of the institution will put an end to the capital flight expended on medical tourism by Nigerians

 

Okonofua, who stated this in Ondo town, during a media parley said the medical science university will provide the highest level of health care that will ultimately reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for medical treatment.

 

He said the establishment will help to correct the deficiency that are currently evident in the teaming of human resources for health in this country; which will also sustain and deepen the massive development and innovations that have taken place in the health sector in the state over the past six years.

 

Professor Okonofua said  the institution will kick -off in October with three faculties of basic medical sciences, dentistry and medicine both for fresh intakes and direct entry students.

 

He revealed that the institution’s curricular has been well designed to meet national and international accreditation demands which expose students to best global practices.

 

 

He explained that the mission of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) ,is to provide exceptional quality and comprehensive health care and integrated education and research in all health - related sciences, to expand access to compassionate and high quality health care for under- served population, and to lead the scientific pathway for reducing the bundle of disease in our areas of operation.

 

He said. “ we have already begun the processes of interacting with the NUC, the medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and various international agencies to ensure national and international accreditations for all our courses.

 

“ The university has purchased the most recent teaching technologies that would ensure that our students have experiences similar to those in more developed part of the world.”

 

The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology said the university will break new grounds in harnessing opportunities that abound traditional medicine plants to facilitate effective cheaper drugs and reduction of disease burden in the country.

 

He explained that it’s modern trauma care, orthopaedic cases, kidney diseases and maternal and child care complement with support for many international organisation will make the specialised institution second to none in africa.

 

The VC however assured that despite all the profound services that the university will offer, the fees will be affordable in line with the state governor’s desire for qualitative and affordable education in the state.

 

Also speaking, the institution’s Registrar Dr. Funke Oyebade said there are plans for exchange programme with foreign institutions to make the first school of medical science in the country compete with other such institution across the world.

 

It will be recalled that the National Universities Commission ( NUC)  in March 2015  approved the school of medical sciences as the first specialized university in the country.

 

By Hakeem Gbadamosi

Nigerian Tribune