The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, has directed the Management Board of the University Health Centre to submit a comprehensive report on the challenges and needs of the facility.
The Vice-Chancellor gave the directive when members of the Health Centre Management Board paid a courtesy visit to the university management.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Ekaete Inyang Enang, the Vice-Chancellor welcomed the board members and commended their efforts toward improving the welfare of members of the university community, particularly students.
Prof. Offiong urged the board to prepare a detailed official document outlining the health centre’s strategic plans, challenges and priority needs to enable management to make informed decisions.
He assured the board that the university management would work towards addressing the challenges confronting the centre while exploring partnerships with relevant health agencies to improve healthcare delivery.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that remedial measures would be put in place ahead of the forthcoming Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, which the university is expected to host.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Medical Board, Dr. Victor Nwagbara, said the visit was aimed at briefing the Vice-Chancellor on the current state of the health centre and the challenges affecting its operations.
He explained that the board also came to present its terms of reference, as earlier requested by the Vice-Chancellor, while assuring management of effective service delivery and proper oversight.
According to Nwagbara, inadequate funding remains one of the major challenges facing the centre. He appealed to the university management to provide the Director of Health Services with adequate imprest to enable the facility operate effectively.
The Medical Board Chairman also identified other areas requiring urgent attention, including the restoration of mandatory medical screening for fresh students, upgrading of facilities ahead of the NUGA Games, provision of functional medical equipment and appropriate storage facilities.
He further called for the proper utilisation of NHIS and T-SHIP funds to prevent the withdrawal of the schemes from the university.
Nwagbara assured that the board would submit the detailed report on the health centre’s needs and challenges as directed by the Vice-Chancellor.
Also present during the visit were the Director of Health Services, Dr. Kaiser Etta, and the Secretary of the Medical Board, Mrs. Agnes Atrogor, Esq.
ALSO READ:FULL LIST: UNICAL Senate Suspends Nine Students Over Examination Misconduct
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
