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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Former governor of Rivers State, Sir Peter Odili, has called for an upward review of the retirement age and salary of medical professionals in Nigeria.
Odili made the call at the 8th Founders’ Day and 5th Convocation Ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt on Friday.
He said it is worrisome at the exodus of medical professionals, who travel abroad for greener pastures, saying it is posing serious challenges to Nigeria’s health sector.
Odili, who is the founder and Pro-Chancellor of the university, called on the Federal Government to address the exit of medical experts, describing the issue as a national crisis.
He specifically urged the government to peg the retirement age of medical professionals to 70 years.
Speaking further, the former governor of Rivers State, stated that his experience in the field has shown that medical experts who are retired and 70 years old perform creditably in their chosen areas of specialization.
Odili appealed: “Let’s make our pastures greener in Nigeria.”
He emphasized that judges and engineers could abandon their jobs, but doctors and other qualified medical practitioners rarely do that.
“Judges can suspend work for six months; engineers can also suspend their work. But, no medical professional can enjoy the luxury of suspending treatment of a patient.”
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Odili, however, commended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his investment in the education sector, particularly supporting indigenes in PUMS.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has expressed delight with the quality of medical graduates from the institution.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, said his scholarship for the students has been fruitful.
Meanwhile, Chancellor of the institution and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his speech, said the approval of courses by the National Universities Commission (NUC) is geared to advancing the quality of nations in the health sector.
Abubakar commended the various national regulatory bodies for inducting graduates of PUMS for the support given to the university.
He stated that the institution will continue to maintain zero tolerance to social vices from staff and students.
Earlier, acting Vice Chancellor of PUMS, Professor Smith Jaja, emphasized the zero tolerance to vices earlier declared by the pro-chancellor.
He, however , commended the former governor for investing in the future of Nigerians, by initiating establishment of the University of Medical Sciences.
A total of 126 graduates convoked.
