ABSUTH Regains Full Accreditation, Medical Council Praises Otti
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has officially reinstated the accreditation of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) to graduate medical students. Giving that the accreditation had been withdrawn almost three years ago, prompting substantial efforts to address deficiencies and enhance the institution's capabilities, this serves as a significant move towards medical education in Nigeria.
Mary Nwaeze 
In a significant development for medical education in Nigeria, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has officially reinstated the accreditation of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) to graduate medical students. The accreditation had been withdrawn almost three years ago, prompting substantial efforts to address deficiencies and enhance the institution's capabilities.
The commendable news was relayed to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, late Thursday night. The Accreditation Team of the MDCN, having conducted a thorough inspection of facilities and prerequisites, delivered a favorable verdict.
"We just concluded our meeting with the team. To the glory of God, we have full accreditation to graduate medical students for the next five years; increase in our admission quota from 120 to 150 per session; renewed accreditation to train 60 house officers per annum for the next four years," stated a message from a member of the Abia State University Accreditation Committee.
Expressing his satisfaction, Governor Otti underscored his commitment to ensuring that ABSUTH never loses accreditation again. He recounted the challenges faced by the institution before the withdrawal and outlined the substantial efforts made by his administration to address them.
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Governor Otti pledged to address identified shortcomings promptly and declared the restoration of ABSUTH's accreditation as a major priority for his government. He emphasized the significance of governance in promoting the welfare and security of the people, highlighting his administration's allocation of 20% and 15% of the state's 2024 annual budget to education and health, respectively.
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The Governor also announced plans for the establishment of a Medical Village in the state, aiming to reverse medical tourism. He expressed optimism about reducing the substantial amount spent on medical tourism abroad by Nigerians.
The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, represented by the Deputy Registrar, commended Governor Otti for the infrastructural uplift in ABSUTH and other health institutions in the state. He praised the dedication of a significant portion of the budget to education and health, describing it as unprecedented in Nigeria's budgeting history.
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In conclusion, the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, reported the presence of the Vice Chancellor of ABSU, Professor Maxwell Ogbulu, and other key figures during the visit by the MDCN accreditation team.
This restoration of accreditation signifies a renewed commitment to the advancement of medical education and healthcare standards in Abia State, with Governor Otti's leadership at the forefront of this positive transformation.
