MEDICINE FACULTY: Why ABSU Lost NUC’s Accreditation – Gov. Ikpeazu Explains | DETAILS
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, PhD has revealed why the National Universities Council (NUC) withdrew medicine accreditation from the Abia State University (ABSU).
All Facts Newspaper had reported that the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSU), lost its accreditation and there were speculations that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), was moving to withdraw its accreditation from the institution all owing to the doctors continued strike for non-payment of salaries READ HERE
Reacting to the dis-accreditation, the governor explained that ‘the loss of accreditation was solely as a result of the closure of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) where student doctors are trained”.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to governor Ikpeazu, Barrister Onyebuchi Ememanka, the reason why the institution was dis-accredited was discovered after the governor held a meeting with some selected medical professionals on the matter.
Ikpeazu assured that the withdrawal of accreditation from the Faculty of Medicine, Abia State University is only a momentary setback which can be rectified in a matter of months.
The conclusion at the meeting was that;
“The loss of accreditation was solely as a result of the closure of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital where student doctors are trained and has nothing to do with the technical and professional competence of the University nor the Teaching Hospital.”
“The Hospital was closed as a result of issues around arrears of salaries of workers.
“The NUC accreditation delegation visited at a time when the Hospital was closed down.
“The withdrawal of accreditation affected only the Medical School and not the Teaching Hospital. The implication of this is the Faculty of Medicine of the University cannot admit new students while this situation subsists. This does not in any way affect the students who are already studying at the Faculty.
“The withdrawal of accreditation is only a momentary setback which can be corrected in a matter of months. Indeed, the eminent Medical Professors at the meeting, who themselves, are leaders and members of similar delegations of the NUC to other Universities made it clear that once the Teaching Hospital can be reopened, the issue of the withdrawal of the accreditation will be reversed within a maximum period 6 months”.
According to the governor, he is committed towards the institutions, assuring that necessary funds will be released within the next one month to remedy the non-salary payment, adding that henceforth, salaries would be paid as at when due.
