From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The story of Peaceland College of Health Technology, a private university in Enugu state is unique in the sense that it is purely established to produce the requisite manpower to curb the lack in the nation’s health sector.
The university which is originally located within Enugu metropolis, along Mkpokiti road, Independence layout Enugu, is expanding to its permanent site at Onuogba Nike,along Abakaliki road,Emene Enugu.
The Chairman, governing board of the institution, Rev. Fr. Leonard Ilechukwu, said the management is committed to fulfil the dreams of the founder of the university, Mama Pia, from Switzerland.
According to him, Mama Pia, who was on a missionary work to Nigeria, found out the huge deficit in Nigeria’s health sector, the poor state of health facilities and the desired manpower to work in Nigeria’s hospitals and voluntered to render her humanitarian services in that aspect.
She, therefore, initiated the idea of establishing a university in Nigeria that will train health workers of different categories.
Speaking at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the College, Rv Fr. Ilechukwu said though Mama Pia, who was the founder and funder of the institution died in 2012, the management of the institution is leaving no stone unturned in advancing the cause of the college.
He disclosed that the college is currently running eight departments churning out Community health extension workers (CHEW and CHEW J), Mefical laboratory technicians, Pharmacy technicians, Environmental health technicians and Radiography technicians.
Others include Public health department, Epidermiology and disease control department and health information management department.
He expressed optimism that the products of the college will fit into oversaturated labour market in Nigeria because their areas of specialisation are needed while the school authorities are committing much efforts to impact knowledge and morals on the students ,even as the college is missionary in outlook.
“Our application is currently with National board for technical education, seeking to graduate our college to Monotechnic. This will enable the college to award National diploma(ND) and Higher national diploma(HND) degrees in health sciences,” he said.
Rv Fr. Iloeje, therefore, appealed for support from both the federal and Enugu state governments, private organisations and public spirited individuals to help the school in furthering the cause of curtailing challenges in Nigeria’s health sector by providing trained manpower, who walks the talks.
