UNICAL Pro-Chancellor Pledges Continued Support for College of Medical Sciences

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Governing Council, DIG Udom U. Ekpoudom (rtd), has pledged to continue supporting the College of Medical Sciences in its pursuit of excellence and growth.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maiden College Week and Awards Ceremony, held at the ASUU Secretariat, Ekpoudom, represented by the immediate past Provost of the College, Prof. Victor Ansa, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the College’s status as the flagship of the university. The theme of the event, "Health Manpower Development in a Low Resource Setting: Strategies for Survival," addressed the critical challenges facing the health sector in the country.

Ekpoudom commended the Provost, Prof. Ngim Ngim, for launching the College Week, which serves as an important platform for showcasing the achievements of the College while fostering collaboration among students and faculty members. He expressed his admiration for the College’s strategic role in the institution, noting that it plays a pivotal part in the university’s success.

"I have high regard for the College because of the very strategic role it is playing in our dear institution," he stated, emphasizing his desire to see the College continue to thrive.

The Pro-Chancellor also recognized the relevance of the theme, considering the country's economic realities and the growing trend of healthcare professionals migrating abroad. He expressed concern over the “Jakpa syndrome,” in which medical professionals seek opportunities overseas, and underscored the importance of addressing this issue.

UNICAL’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, who was represented by Prof. Peter Okafor, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Linkages, and Collaborations, commended the Provost for his efforts in advancing the College’s objectives. She reiterated the university’s support for the College and its commitment to producing highly trained medical professionals who contribute to society both locally and globally.

"The College has been consistently making us proud by producing purposeful, value-driven medical practitioners," she said.

Prof. Ngim, in his address, explained that the aim of the College Week was to highlight the challenges faced in the production of medical professionals in the current socio-economic environment. He noted that the worsening economic conditions have exacerbated the loss of healthcare workers to other countries, and he called for meaningful discussions to find solutions to this pressing issue.

In addition to addressing critical challenges, Prof. Ngim acknowledged the contributions of retired staff members, whose hard work has been instrumental in shaping generations of medical professionals.

The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Henry Ikechukwu Ukweh, CEO of Hogis Luxury Suites/Arubah Specialist Hospital, expressed his honor in chairing such a significant event and reiterated his commitment to supporting the College in the development of medical students.

Keynote speaker, Prof. Akanimo Essiet, discussed the challenges posed by low-resource settings, highlighting the lack of infrastructure and funding for medical training programs. He urged the creation of updated programs to ensure that medical professionals are equipped with the skills necessary to meet global standards.

The event featured a paper presentation by Prof. Ann Asuquo and cultural performances, further celebrating the College’s role in advancing medical education and practice.