The importance of Nigerians in the diaspora that supports the development of the health sector in Nigeria was emphasized during the implementation of the $ 1 million Philiphh block at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ibadan.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, president of the Nigerian Commission of the Diaspora, spoke at the event, highlighting that doctors who collaborate with other health professionals in the country can transform medical tourism and help reverse their current trends.
Dabiri-Erewa said that in the last four years, Nigerian diaspora doctors have established approximately 10 hospitals, including the recently opened African Medical Center of Excellence in Abuja.
This reflects a growing trend of Nigerian doctors returning to the country to give back their communities.
“I am sure that our doctors in the diaspora can change it. We can have a situation in which people come to Nigeria for their health needs instead of leaving. However, who do you know when you go out? Many of them are Nigerian doctors.
“So working with them, I am sure that can happen. We can change the face of medical tourism and reverse medical tourism in the diaspora working with our health professionals.
“We also believe that if they join collectively, they can build a medical center of excellence. Because we have the capacity, we have the numbers; all we need is the structural organization for this to happen.”
The vice chancellor of the UI, Professor Kayode Adebowale, celebrated the legacy of Professor Ozuah and his commitment to his roots and said his decision to defend and substantially finance the hotel project reflects its unwavering belief in gathering and training the next generation of medical professionals.
According to him, quality accommodation is a critical component of academic success; Having a comfortable, safe and conducive life environment is not a luxury but a necessity.
“The success of this project should serve as a call from Clarón to other students and friends of the University; there is still a lot of work to do to advance our infrastructure and academic offers. Let's emulate the example of Professor Ozuah investing in initiatives that will support the leadership of the UI in education and research.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, described the PHILIP OZUAH shelter as a symbol of unwavering commitment to the growth of the Nigeria health system and a powerful testimony of the lasting values ​​of philanthropy, patriotism and service to humanity.
Dr. Alausa, who was represented by the director in the office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Aderibigbe Adewale, said that the contribution reflects a spirit of giving the borders transcends and reminds people that the roots remain firmly planted in Nigeria and, therefore, the shelter should serve as a bathroom of hope, service and excellence.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare Coordinator, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who spoke through Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen, director of Health Services, said the donation would complement the effort of the federal government to increase the admission fee of all health workers in the university to address the incessant brain drainage and the update facilities required by the students of the University.
Vice governor of the state of Oyo, BarrÃster Adebayo Lawal and vice governor of the state of ENUGU, BarrÃmor Ifeanyi Ossai, they all said that people must emulate and contribute to the elevation of humanity, saying that institutions around the world live on the strength of benevolence and generosity of their student and urgency to increase support.
The president of the Association of Rights of the Faculty of Medicine of Ibadan, World Wide (ICOMAA-WW), Professor Emeritus Samuel omokhodion, said that the Philip Ozuah hostel block, at the cost of $ 1 million, would house 168 students and would be like a testimony of the shared vision and unwavering determination of the students of the University.
Therefore, he urged more donors to support the completion of the remaining blocks of the shelter to accommodate more than 500 occupants in response to the requirements established by the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council to house all clinical students at the hospital facilities.