By Abiodun Azi
The College of Medicine (CMUL), University of Lagos ,says the 17th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas (HOT) memorial lecture as part of its 61st Founders’ Day anniversary, will showcase CMUL in the area of technology.
The CMUL’s Deputy Provost, Prof Osaretin Ebuehi, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
He said the lecture, holding on Thursday, Oct. 26, will have the theme: “Transforming Healthcare and Medical Education Through Digital Innovations, from AI-Assisted Interventions to Edu-Tech.”
Ebuehi, who eulogised HOT, told NAN that remarkable lessons would be learnt during the lecture, especially on digital health.
“Health is Wealth, and one cannot really finish talking about the topic in a lecture.
“The memorial lecture is one of CMUL distinguished memorial lectures; HOT was a great medical icon who gave birth to this college, which we are all benefitting from today.
“He did so much for the advancement and development of medical education in CMUL.
“The college deems it fit to honour him annually with the memorial lecture and showcase CMUL in the area of technology.
“The Guest Lecturer is Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR and Special Guest of Honour is Femi Gbajabiamila,” the deputy provost said.
NAN reports that Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas (HOT) was a Nigerian medical pioneer specialising in facial reconstructive and plastic surgery.
He was the first Nigerian surgeon to become a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons ( FRCS), a professional qualification required to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
He was born on Aug. 31, 1917 at Jathomas Rubber Estates, Sapele, and attended Wesleyan Boys High School (Methodist Boys High School), Igbobi College and University of Birmingham.
In April 1962, HOT was invited by the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish a medical school and teaching hospital at Lagos.
In September 1962, the hospital was open to patients and the medical school admitted 28 students.
By the time the pioneering students had qualified in 1967, the Lagos University Medical School and teaching hospital had been recognised by international bodies in medical education and training.
Thomas, a Professor of Surgery, and Dean of the Medical School until 1967 and became the first Provost of the institution until 1969.
Thomas is said to have been passionate about medical education and believed that medical education is an essential component in the country’s development, striving relentlessly to ensure optimal standard in the teaching medicine in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Christiana Fadare
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