MEDICAL POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP REMAINS HIGHEST QUALIFICATION FOR NPMCN FELLOWS-- OLAITAN EMPHASIZES

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Medical postgraduate
fellowship remains highest
qualification for NPMCN
fellows, says Olaitan
By Ujunwa Atueyi | 15 September 2016 | 4:11 am
Olaitan
President, National Postgraduate Medical College of
Nigeria (NPMCN), Dr. Ademola Abayomi Olaitan,
insists that medical postgraduate fellowship remains
the highest qualification for NPMCN fellows.
Reacting to the controversy on the relativity of
postgraduate fellowships in medicine and dentistry
vis-à-vis PhD in the Nigerian University System
(NUS), during its 2016 pre-convocation briefing,
Olaitan said holders of postgraduate fellowships do
not necessarily need to possess doctoral qualifications
to achieve career progression in the NUS.
He stressed that the college would engage concerned
stakeholders on the matter, in order to ensure the
controversy does not hinder the progression of
academics in these fields.
Describing the controversy, which sometimes stall
holders of medical postgraduate fellowships from
attaining vice chancellorship for not possessing PhD
as needless, he assured that a policy position would
soon be taken on the issue.
He said, “Recently there have been comments on the
usefulness or otherwise of clinical teachers possessing
the PhD to teach, or to progress in the university
system. Our college reiterates that fellowship is the
highest qualification needed in the practice and
training of medical doctors, and specialists in the
health system as obtains globally. As a responsible
government agency, we would engage all relevant
stakeholders to put this controversy to rest.”
Regretting that the college, which trains specialists’
doctors for the country, retains needed manpower,
and prevents human capital flight has not been
availed adequate attention, he said, “Postgraduate
medical and dental education in Nigeria is passing
through a turbulent period. While funding is low,
the frequent work stoppages in various teaching
hospitals does not allow for trainees fulfillment of
the prescribed minimum period of clinical placements
and rotations that qualifiy them for examinations.
High investments in medical education by
government will yield high quality of patient’s care.
Despite the challenges, Olaitan stated that the college
is breaking new grounds in its bid to ensure global
best practices, as the institution’s Senate recently
approved commencement of Computer-Based Test
(CBT) for March/April/May 2017 Fellowships
Examinations.
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, will be
conferred with an honourary fellowship award today
at the convocation, in recognition of his relentless
advocacy for improved healthcare in the country,
while Dr. Michael Akintayo Bankole, and Dr. Kamil
Olanipekun Alausa, will also be conferred with
distinguished fellowship awards.
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Ademola Abayomi Olaitan NPMCN  1
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