Governor Chimaroke Nnamani has bagged the prestigious Fellowship of the International College of Surgeons (ICS).

His investiture took place during the 40th Anniversary and Annual Scientific Conference of the International College Surgeons, Nigerian National Section at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The College, said to be the only umbrella body for general surgeons and surgical specialists the world over, honored Governor Nnamani with its Fellowship in recognition of his contributions to the field of medicine and governance.

The International College of Surgeons was founded and designed to promote the science and art of surgery and has six federations in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and the Pacific Islands.

Speaking shortly after his investiture, Governor Nnamani called for clearly defined and mandated areas of practice and interest by the various Colleges responsible for general surgical care in the country.

Governor Nnamani, who is a specialist in maternal and fetal medicine, was of the opinion that there should be adequate modalities to ensure that discipline is maintained in this regard.

According to the Governor, all these measures would help to check the present balkanization of the medical profession, especially the practice of surgery where everybody claims to be a surgeon.

On his thought in the area of health reform in the country, Governor Nnamani called for the appointment of a Surgeon General who will serve as the rallying point, the conscience of medical medicine and symbol of excellence in its practice.

He also renewed his call for the establishment of a Federal Ministry of Health and Human Services that would ensure the integration of health and human services, including education and women affairs.

The Ministry, according to him, which will supervise National Health Services just like the UBE in the education sector, will take care of the indigent, provide health-care for Nigerians with contributions from local, state and federal governments.

He expressed deep gratitude to his professional colleagues and the College for the award, which he said, would re-enthuse him to fulfill his goals to the people of Enugu State and Nigeria.

In appreciation of the Fellowship award, Governor Nnamani said that Enugu State Government will provide a secretariat building for the college and also donated the sum of five million naira.

In his speech, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, said that his government was committed to providing a well-equipped hospital in every local government area of the State to ease the burden of health-care delivery.

Governor Attah announced that already, three of such hospitals had been completed adding that work was at an advanced stage on others while the existing hospitals in the State had been equipped.

He disclosed that partnering with health professionals and other stakeholders had been the guiding principle of his administration in the state, adding that the state is leading in paying counterpart funds in health-related projects.

Also in his address, the President of the Nigerian National Section of the college, Professor Ed. Attah said that at the Conference, special attention will be given to the method of implementation and assessment of the usefulness and success of rural surgical services.

Professor Attah spoke on the dangers of tobacco and condemned the prominence given by manufacturers and promoters of the product in the country, calling for necessary action to check their promotion.

Governor Nnamani had earlier been honored by some professional bodies and higher institutions of learning, including being conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Lagos; Doctor of Science by the University of Nigeria Nsukka as well as Babcock University, Illisan Remo, Ogun State; Adjunct Professorship of the Political Science Department of the Babcock University; Ogun State and Fellowship of the Nigerian Council for Legal Education, Abuja.