By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Association of Presidents and Proprietors of Higher Institutions in Nigeria (APPHIN) has commended the Federal Government on the expansion of medical education and training capacity to private higher institutions.
National Secretariat of the association, Dr Kamaludeen Muhammed, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
Muhammed commended the initiative aimed at expanding medical education and supporting the recruitment and training of 20,000 medical students annually, describing it as ‘bold and forward-looking.’
He commended the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for his visionary leadership, commitment and remarkable strides in advancing the Nigerian education sector.
He said that the association considered the initiative a significant milestone in the federal government’s efforts to address Nigeria’s shortage of medical professionals.
Muhammed added that it would also strengthen human capital development, expand access to quality healthcare and position Nigeria for sustainable national development.
“Beyond the expansion of medical education, APPHIN recognises the minister’s broader efforts toward reforming, strengthening and repositioning Nigeria’s education system to respond to the changing needs of the 21st century.
“We believe that sustained collaboration between government and private educational institutions will further accelerate the transformation of the sector,’’ he said.
Muhammed, however, urged the ministry to ensure that private higher institutions were fully integrated into the implementation framework.
He stressed the need to particularly integrate institutions with the capacity, infrastructure and academic personnel to contribute meaningfully to the national medical workforce development agenda.
“We specifically call for clear and accessible guidelines on the procedure for private institutions to access, engage and utilise accredited medical simulation centres for clinical and practical training.
“Such information should be made readily available to educational investors and proprietors who are willing to invest in medical education and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s healthcare workforce.
“APPHIN believes that transparent procedures, accreditation requirements, approved simulation centres, applicable fees, partnership arrangements and other operational guidelines should be clearly communicated to existing institutions and prospective educational investors,” he said.
Muhammed also urged the ministry, relevant regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to establish a publicly accessible framework for collaboration between private higher institutions and accredited medical simulation centres.
He noted that Nigeria’s medical education expansion should be a collective national effort involving government, private educational institutions, educational investors, regulators and other stakeholders.
“The private sector possesses significant capacity for investment, innovation and infrastructure development, and its inclusion will make the national expansion programme more effective and sustainable,’’ he said.
Muhammed pledged APPHIN continued support to the federal government’s efforts to expand access to quality education, strengthen professional training and create an education system capable of producing the skilled workforce required for Nigeria’s economic and social transformation.
“We look forward to deeper collaboration between the Ministry and private higher institutions in building a stronger, more inclusive and globally competitive Nigerian education system.
“Together, we can build a stronger medical education system and develop the skilled healthcare workforce required for Nigeria’s future,’’ Muhammed said.(NAN)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi