UNIMED INDUCTS 1ST SET OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH GRADUANDS
… Says Environmental Health Professionals are the frontline health security of the nation…
The University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, on Friday, 8th November, 2024, at the Odosida Campus, inducted its first set of Environmental Health graduands.
In a lecture titled “Historical Perspective and Emergence of Environmental Health Science in Nigeria” delivered by Henry O. SAWYERR, an Associate Professor at the Department of. Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Applied Health Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, he described Environmental Health Professionals (EHPs) as “frontline health security of the nation”.
According to him, the functions of EHPs include, among others, waste management; food control and hygiene; pest and vector control; environmental health control of housing and sanitation; epidemiological investigation and control; air quality management; occupational health and safety; water resources management and sanitation; noise control; protection of recreational environment; radiation control and health; control of frontiers, air and sea ports and border crossing; pollution control and abatement; educational activities (health promotion and education); promotion and enforcement of environmental health quality standards; collaborative efforts to study the effects of environmental hazards (research); environmental health impact, etc. In view of their relevance in the society, Dr. Sawyerr said “the future is bright for environmental health professionals as they are needed in all spheres of life”!
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba, represented by Professor Emmanuel Ofoezie from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, commended the University for the feat of producing the first set of Environmental Health Professionals. He said “the University is without doubt a centre of excellence, given the facilities put in place for the training of the graduands”. He then enjoined them to be ethical and professional in their practice.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Adesegun Fatusi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), expressed delight at the successful completion of the programme by the first set of the University’s Environmental Health graduands.
He said “We are proud of your accomplishments. Your dedication throughout your academic sojourn is commendable. We are convinced you will fly the flag of the institution high in the society”.
The Dean of School of Public Health, Professor Ofonime Johnson, while delivering her welcome address thanked the University for creating an enabling environment for the professional training of the graduands and congratulated them on their induction into the profession of environmental health.
E-signed
Isaac Oluyi
PRO, UNIMED
8th November, 2024