By Sade Adewale, Ondo
|
The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo city, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the premier Orthopaedic Hospital in Nigeria, the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, NOHIL in order to create a strategic relationship that would enhance the development of Prosthetics and Orthotics through research, services and training.
The Vice-Chancellor, UNIMED, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, FAS noted that the MoU provides that UNIMED shall admit students of the Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology, Igbobi (FECOT) to acquire degree education on both regular and conversion programmes for students that fully meet all the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree of the University.
“We have come today because we believe in this programme and its future, our strong confidence in this partnership and our strong understanding that this is something that is beyond all of us, because this is in the best interest of Nigerians with high potentials for the youth,” the VC said.
He added: “A lot of young people want to get into the health field, struggling to gain admission each year. What they know is medicine, dentistry and nursing. According to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, of all who scored 300 plus in the last exam, 34.6 per cent of them did not gain admission.
The problem is not just a population issue, there is a need to widen the health field for younger people to see opportunities, to see potentials where they can come with their God-given ability and be fulfilled and also be impactful. For UNIMED, that strong understanding of the potential of this programme for the future of Nigeria’s young people and the old is our driving motivation”.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director, NOHIL, Dr.Mustapha Alimi said the symbiotic relationship will lead to exchange of Library material, scientist literature and other resources in relation to prosthetics and Orthotics.
“With this partnership, students of UNIMED will be able to undertake clinical attachments in our facilities and we will be able to ensure quality and effective exposure of the students to clinical situations, instructions and guidance that is in line with their defined curriculums,” the CMD said.
