MDCN clears Asaba Specialist Hospital to become Teaching Hospital for Novena University

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on Wednesday visited the Asaba Specialist Hospital for an inspection and advisory for accreditation of the Faculty of Medical Sciences for Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.

The Council’s visit to the specialist hospital was to ascertain the hospital’s preparedness for the commencement of medical studies for the medical students of Novena University. The inspection and verification process was carried out as a vital stage of accreditation to uphold the quality of medical education and training which will ultimately benefit both the students and patients that they will serve. 

Novena University, the foremost private university in Delta State, was recently awarded accreditation for Medicine (MBBS). The institution in its bid to accommodate the yearnings and aspirations of youth who are unable to get education opportunities is doing its best to provide more sought-after courses in medical health and has proposed to use the Asaba Specialist Hospital as its teaching hospital.

Speaking about the successful exercise, the Chief Medical Director of ASH, Dr Peace Ighosewe stated that the hospital is very much interested and ready to move to the next level of practising at the level of a befitting teaching hospital after being duly certified by MDCN. She stated that the management of the hospital is positive about meeting up with their end of the agreement in providing a safe and conducive learning environment for medical students. She added that the Council at different times visited the hospital for accreditations and they have always been satisfied with the level of manpower and medical equipment situated in the hospital. She said, “MDCN has been to ASH several times for other accreditations and we have never failed any. In the past, the hospital has been involved in the training of residents of several faculties and also lntern Doctors, Nurses and Pharmacists. I am hopeful that we will keep living up to expectations and do better as we go along.” 

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She further stated that the hospital has continued to enjoy tremendous support from the Ministry of Health and the Delta State Government. She also appreciated the immediate past Governor of the state, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the current Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori for their support and assistance in making all of this possible.

The Chairman of the Clinical Services and Training and Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Isoje Daniel, stated that the new development of accreditation is a great feat for the members of the ASH community as they are already known for progress under the visionary leadership of the CMD who has always strived for new grounds. He stated, “This is a dream come true as it has always been her desire to take the hospital from being a specialist hospital to a teaching hospital.” He added that before now, the hospital had been accredited for postgraduate training in paediatrics, family medicine and obstetrics/gynaecology. 

He added that the hospital is still working on expanding its frontiers as they are working on getting accreditation for the radiology department and also looking at getting accreditation for medical laboratory scientists. He said the collaboration with Novena University to train medical students is not an easy task which he said is like setting the foundation for future medical practitioners which comes with a lot of expectations and responsibilities.

The Vice Chancellor of Novena University, Professor Godwin C. Nduka, in his remark stated that the Asaba Specialist Hospital was chosen due to the accomplishments of the hospital and its location being central in the State and other neighbouring States from which people come for medical services. He said the institution was satisfied with the accreditation of the hospital for use as a teaching hospital by MDCN for the medical students of Novena. He said, “We are satisfied with our partnership with the hospital because we have seen that they’re ready to work.”