UNILORIN To Start Postgraduate Programmes In Palliative Care
University of Ilorin, UNILORIN is taking steps to introduce a postgraduate diploma course in Palliative Care, making it the first University in West and North Africa to offer such a course.
This was disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, last Tuesday (May 7, 2013) while receiving Dr. (Mrs.) Mhiora Leng, Head of Palliative Care, Makerere University, Uganda, and the Committee on Pain and Palliative Care, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in his office.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the course and another on Social Work would be introduced at the undergraduate levels in the nearest future.
Prof. Ambali noted that the University continuously reviews its curriculum for the purpose of updating learning process and tasked Dr. Leng to sharethe good work in the University of Ilorin with the international community.
He submitted that the University has embraced the internationalisation of education and noted that the recent approval to build and International Researchers Lodge is a result of the University’s commitment to internationalisation.
Also speaking on the palliative programme at the University of Ilorin, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. A. B. O. Omotosho, explained that the curriculum for the course has been developed, presented to and approved by the Senate of the University, stressing that the Vice-Chancellor is very keen to see the programme take off.
Earlier, Dr. (Mrs.) Leng introduced herself as a palliative care physician committed to working to integrate palliative care into health systems and to support the development of equality of access to palliative care.
She said that she is particularly interested in international palliative care and committed to working alongside partners in the developing world to build capacity, offer mentorship support, curriculum development and new models of care.
She added that she wanted to help the University in those areas with a view to having a course on palliative study.
The Committee on Pain and Palliative Care, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, headed by Dr. D. I. Kolawole also had in attendance members like:Mr. A. O. Alege, Dr. K. W. Wahab, Mr. Durojaiye Abiola, Mr. Jimoh A. Sidiq and Mr. Akinwale Saliu.
