Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Nearly three years after losing its accreditation, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, has restored the full accreditation of the Abia State University College of Medicine.
The College’s accreditation was initially withdrawn following the near comatose of Abia State University Teaching Hospital ABSUTH, Aba, due to years of inactivity arising from months of industrial action by doctors over salary arrears.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, quoted the Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, as conveying the news of the restoration of the accreditation after a visit by MDCN team to the hospital on Thursday.
According to the statement, MDCN also increased the admission quota of the College from 120 to 150.
“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. The number can be increased if we employ more full time consultants in the department of paediatrics.”
Recall that Governor Otti had sworn that never again would the State’s apex health learning institution, ABSUTH, be allowed to lose its accreditation by the regulatory authorities.
Gov Otti had during a recent media parley said that under his watch, Abia State would regain its place of pride in the scheme of things.
He said that he came on board to change the narrative, assuring that Abia will witness tremendous transformation in the years ahead.
