New Catholic medical practitioners’ president vows to address brain drain
Prof. Abigail Agbo has been elected president of the Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) for four years.
Agbo is a Public Health Consultant at University of Jos Teaching Hospital, member of Jos Diocese of ACMPN, current accreditation officer of the Western African College of Physicians and Chairman of Board, Our Lady of Apostles Hospital, Zawan, Jos.
She was elected on Saturday night at the 18th ACMPN Annual General Meeting held in Nnewi, Anambra, to take over from Dr Matthew Ashikemi.
The theme of the conference was “Integrating Spirituality Into Practice: Exploring Holistic Approach and Recognising the Spiritual Nature of Man.”
Prof. Evaristus Afiadigwe, an Otorhinolaryngologist at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and member of Nnewi Diocese of the association was elected Vice President.
Other elected officials were Dr James Ojile (Secretary), Dr Darlington-Peter Ugoji (Assistant Secretary), Ngatida Emmanuel (Treasurer), Assumpta Ikenna (Financial Secretary), Dr Phina Muojiuba (PRO), Dr Dubem Awachie(Provost) and Dr Phina Umeobieri.
In her post election speech, Agbo thanked members of ACMPN for handing her the mantle of leadership and promised to build on the success of previous administrations to achieve the set objectives.
She said that the association under her leadership would work with the Church to provide quality health education and mentorship for upcoming professionals with a view to addressing the manpower gap in the sector.
She added that “we will build on the legacies of past administrations, encourage more members to participate to achieve ACMPN objectives which include promoting excellence, spirituality and provide leadership in our various places of work as Catholic professionals.
“As a body, we partner educationally-inclined institutions, promote quality medical training and leverage the Church’s solid structure on health and education.
“We will provide services and work as volunteers to address brain drain in the health sector.
