AE-FUNAI Set to Deepen NOFIC Partnership, Proposes Institute for Reproductive Health

The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State has pledged to expand the collaboration between the institution and the National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC), Abakaliki, through the establishment of an Institute for Reproductive Health.

The proposal emerged during a courtesy visit by the NOFIC management team, led by the Medical Director, Prof. Johnson Obuna, to congratulate Prof. Nwachukwu on his appointment and reaffirm the long-standing partnership between both institutions.

While speaking during the visit, Prof. Obuna noted his administration’s support for the continuous clinical training of medical and nursing students of the university in their facility, and outlined the Centre’s growth into a multi-disciplinary federal tertiary training hub.

“NOFIC now runs internships in pharmacy, nursing, radiography, and laboratory science, and has pioneered post-basic oncology nursing training.

“It also offers residency programmes in pediatrics, family medicine, and community medicine. To bridge the gap between clinical expertise and academic recognition, NOFIC has developed specialized Master’s and PhD pathway certificates with the Postgraduate Medical School and Federal Ministry of Health in Obstetric Fistula, Reproductive Health, Renal Medicine, Oncology, and Assisted Reproductive Technology (IVF)”, he stated.

Prof. Obuna further highlighted the importance of establishing specialized research institutes, noting that it attracts international grants and raises institutional profile, and proposed a human resource sharing model to integrate NOFIC specialists into AE-FUNAI as full-time lecturers.

Responding, Prof. Nwachukwu commended NOFIC’s evolution beyond fistula care into broader reproductive health interventions, research, and training. He said the proposed Institute of Reproductive Health would serve as a postgraduate and research-focused center for reproductive health, assisted reproductive technologies, infertility management, and maternal health.

The institute, he explained, would drive cutting-edge research, attract grant funding, and provide practical solutions to reproductive health challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor pledged to present the proposal to the university Senate and called for deeper collaboration between the two institutions through joint postgraduate research and a joint academic journal to boost the visibility of both institutions.

He also encouraged NOFIC consultants to take up academic appointments at AE-FUNAI, describing it as mutually beneficial.

At the end, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the existing partnership between their institutions to advance healthcare, research, and institutional development.