The Chief Consultant Surgeon and Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Dr Christopher Otabor, has called for the integration of more experts in the medical field in order to effectively address challenges plaguing the health sector.
Otabor stated this while at the Highflyers UNIBEN Medical Student Alumni meeting of class of ’99 in Abuja.
Otabor, who is also a member of the set 99, commended the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma for increasing doctors salary, noting that if leaderships is managed well with professionalism, it could bring transformation to the sector.
“More experts are needed to effect a change in the health sector.
“Our doctors are some of the best in the world. We need to find ourselves in the place of leadership to bring the desired change the people want to see in the sector.
“I am also happy that some of our mates are in government, which is a way to go. But I would like to encourage them to get into politics so that they can be elected to contribute favourably to the change that we need in the sector,” Otabor said.
While commending the Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, for increasing medical doctors’ salary in the state, the MD further urged the governor to ensure prompt payment of the salary.
In his own remarks, a member of Highflyer, Dr Alex Iyamu, urged governments at all levels to appreciate doctors and endeavour to increase their salary to discourage brain drains.
A lot of doctors, according to him, would still leave Nigeria unless the situation improves.
“There is better welfare abroad for doctors unlike in Nigeria where they are poorly paid.
“We have the expertise, but there is need to encourage us to stay. The lecturers should also be encouraged and given research grants.”he said.
While also commending President Bola Tinubu’s administration for various health reforms, he urged for more attention and strengthening of the sector.
“This government is trying but we need to do more.
“We need to strengthen the healthcare system. The health minister is doing well in trying to strengthen the primary healthcare service. This reform is a new development that should be commended.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Rosemary Ogu, who is also a member of the Uniben medical student alumni class of ’99, described the reunion as a moment of great joy and nostalgia. She expressed heartfelt happiness at being able to reconnect with her former classmates, noting that it was truly amazing to see so many of her colleagues gathered together 26 years after their graduation.
Professor Ogu highlighted how meaningful it was to reflect on their shared journey, from their days as medical students to becoming accomplished professionals in various fields of medicine. She also expressed deep gratitude and pride for the remarkable achievements and contributions her colleagues have made over the years, not only in Nigeria and globally.
Reunion in her words served as a powerful reminder of the enduring bonds formed during their time at the university and the collective impact they continue to make in advancing healthcare, education, and medical research.
For Prof. Emmanuel Ohanaka, former lecturer, UNIBEN College of Medicine, poor salary, and lack of proper welfare has been the bane of doctor’s exodus from Nigeria.
Ohanaka, who gave a hint on “Planning for Retirement”at the event, harped on the need for doctors to plan for their retirement with massive investment based on availability of their resources.
He then tasked to the also engage in charity to the less privileged ones among them.