Advocating for the presence of Colleges of Medicine in rural communities, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria stresses the importance of having adequate healthcare professionals to address the country’s health challenges.
The council highlights that setting up these colleges in rural areas and training professionals within these communities would not only generate interest but also lead to the development of primary, secondary, and tertiary health centers nationwide.
During the approval of the College of Medicine Science at the Blessed Martins International Institute of Science and Technology in Ebonyi State’s Ikwo Local Area, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Farouk Umar Abubakar, emphasized the significance of this initiative.
Dr. Abubakar mentioned, “By offering training within the communities, we can inspire individuals to serve in primary healthcare, secondary and tertiary levels locally. This strategy aims to equip our communities effectively and subsequently expand these services to urban and national levels.”
He explained that the council’s visit to the school was to assess the readiness of the College of Medical Science to commence operations.
According to him, “Our physical inspection revealed adequate resources such as classrooms, demonstration rooms, and laboratories across various departments. The conducive environment and the availability of qualified healthcare professionals indicate a promising start for nursing and midwifery training.”
Emphasizing the institute’s commitment to addressing societal needs, Chinedu Ogah, the institute’s proprietor, stated that the establishment of the College of Medical Science aims to combat unemployment and enhance access to healthcare services.