The first set of doctors to graduate from the Medical College of Odumegwu Ojukwu University Igbariam in Anambra State has been given automatic employment by the Government of Anambra State.

This announcement was made during the induction of the set of 13 pioneer medical doctors that graduated from the College after ten years of strenuous efforts by the university to garner the necessary accreditation and straighten up the processes that would put the young medics in good stead for a purposeful practice.

Announcing the offer, Tuesday, Governor Obiano advised the 13 new doctors to always remember the virtues of patience, hard-work and professionalism which he described as the building bricks for a fulfilling medical career.

“As you take your Hippocratic Oath today, let me remind you that you are symbolically sworn to save life, to nurture life and the enrich life. Yes; human life should matter to you, far and above all considerations. And as pioneers of this medical college, we look at you with so much pride and satisfaction. But we also look out to you with great hopes and expectations because to whom much is given, much is expected. You must never forget the name you carry on your certificate and the community you represent,” Chief Obiano advised.

The governor assured of his commitment to make a difference in the state, pointing out that the past 23 months of his administration had seen him strive to make an impact where it matters most.

“That is why, in addition to pushing for the final accreditation of this Medical College, we are also doing everything humanly possible to lift the status of Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital to a world class standard to enable it serve as the ultimate breeding ground for the products of this college. This is one mission that we have resolved to accomplish, by the grace of God,” he declared.

Governor Obiano also announced that his administration had secured accreditation for the School of Nursing in Nkpor and the School of Health Technology in Obosi.

Reiterating the efforts of his administration to turn the health sector around in the state, Governor Obiano explained that the sum of N2.45bn was allocated to Health in the 2016 Budget of the state to ensure that his programmes in healthcare delivery are fully realised. “I have no doubt that this will restore our confidence in the healthcare sector and set Anambra State on the path of excellence in healthcare delivery,” he declared, further revealing that his administration had added new units to the Onitsha General Hospital and constructed a Helipad for air ambulances that would bring in patients in cases of emergency.

Speaking further Obiano revealed that he had also built a Centre for Tropical Disease Control which would be used to isolate patients suffering from deadly and highly infectious diseases once there is an outbreak of epidemics and cited the transformation of Orumba General Hospital into a modern medical facility as one of the great achievements of his administration in the health sector.

The governor lauded his predecessors; former governor Chris Ngige whose vision led to the founding of the Medical College and former governor Peter Obi whose efforts resulted in the first accreditation that marked the commencement of Clinical Programmes in the College and also praised the remarkable struggle of the Committee of Ten Professors who did the spade work for the formation of the Medical College.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Fidelis Okafor, commended Governor Obiano’s commitment and relentless striving that led to the accreditation of the school of medicine thus leading to its emergence as the 29^th Medical College in Nigeria.

Also speaking, the Provost of the College, Prof Frank Akpuaka commended the graduating medical doctors for their perseverance and recalled that when the programmed began, there were 60 students but only thirteen graduated as medical doctors. He urged them to be good ambassadors of the school.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano in a group photograph with the the first set of doctors to graduate from the Medical College of Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

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