Nelson A. Osuala[15 March 2016] 06:10pm
The news presently going viral on social and print media is that asserted by Prof. Julius Okojie the executive secretary of the commission who was ably represented by his Deputy, Prof.Chiedu Mafiana the latter who argued in a in a lecture titled ‘Development of Medical Education: Prospects and Challenges’.
According to a reliable source, the Professor made the declaration in a lecture delivered at the maiden inauguration of the University of Medical Science, Ondo State where he released what brought shivers in the bones of his audience when he announced that students studying Medicine and Surgery in Nigerian universities will henceforth spend 11 years before getting an MBBS degree.
His premise was that this prolonged years of study would help bring about adequate study time for the students.
laying credence to LIB juxtaposition of the information, prof. Chiedu who spoke as a mouthpiece of the executive secretary ( Prof. Julius Okojie) further argued that this rule and development was essential to ensure that medical students are well prepared for what according to him is the "psychological demands of the game".
In his breakdown curricular for the 11 years study, he informs that:
#1. Students of Medicine and Surgery must spend the first four(4) years, studying basic sciences in university.
#2. They would then proceed to the medical school to spend another seven(7) years.
Critical comments:
We are tempted to put forwards the questions below to which we hope that the management of NUC would at least attempt to answer.
Que: Do we need an extension of years of studying Medicine and Surgery in our Nigerian Universities or An up to standard adequate provision of all the necessary amenities in medical schools and colleges which include: Medical equipment, well equipped medical laboratories, better study environments, well researched and experienced lecturers who have been tried, tested, trusted and yet have triumphed in their specialized fields?
Que: Do we need donkey years of studying medicine when what we call colleges of medicine, medical library and others is a dilapidated structure were all forms of outdated textbooks are stacked?
..Where her students turn out as half baked knowing next to nothing due to in conducive study environment inexperienced teachers, unavailability of current and well equipped laboratories and lecture rooms with adequate study aides etc?
We can continue on and on as the list is endless. I am of the opinion that all the decision makers in NUC need to have a rethink!
The problem is not with the number of years required in studying medicine and surgery but in the fact that what we have in our Tertiary Institution is not Faculties of Medicine and colleges but a dilapidated structures, rickety edifices which should be better useful as a waste reserved dumping grounds rather than an environment for literacy.
Let the NUC and the Government of Nigeria do the right thing and stop facing illusions.!
Nelson A.Osuala is a Blogger & an Associate Editor in Negroidhaven.
