The President of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor Akin Osibogun has lauded Shalina Healthcare Limited for their contribution towards the development of the healthcare sector in the country and for successfully creating a unique platform for Nigerian resident doctors to showcase their clinical talents, through the Rising Star Awards programme.
Osibogun, a consultant public health physician and epidemiologist, speaking at the second edition of the Shalina Rising Star Awards, which was held in Lagos recently at the Radisson Hotel, thanked the company and acknowledged the objective of the programme, which was meant to celebrate the best brains in the medical profession.
The University don, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar, Senate and Governing Board of the institution, Dr Salami Sule, noted that the concept is highly encouraging and a morale booster, saying he was not only applauding Shalina for its quality and affordable medicines but also for contributing to the medical profession in Nigeria in capacity building and learning.
In his welcome remarks, Chief Operating Officer, West Africa (Pharma) Business Operations, Shalina Healthcare Limited, Arun Raj, said the idea of the Rising Star Award was not just to give back to the people, but also to strengthen the medical profession, adding that the initiative was not a competition but a platform for knowledge sharing and clinical talents celebration.
Speaking further, he said last year’s experience was amazing and very encouraging, adding that the company was happy to be bringing out the best talents in the country. “We are passionate about making meaningful contributions to healthcare delivery in Africa. We are also happy to be a pride to our customers, from selling to learning,” he said.
Also speaking, Pharm Folorunso Alaran, head, Corporate Marketing and Key Accounts, Shalina Healthcare, explained that Rising Stars Award is a programme for Nigerian resident doctors, where interested participants would present unique medical case reports.
He added that the programme had 116 entries from 38 tertiary institutions, from the six geopolitical zones of the country. “In these, 12 participants eventually qualified for the grand finale from 100 shortlisted.
The high point of the event was the emergence of a resident doctor with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Dr Elizabeth Folashade Taiwo, as the winner of the second edition of the Shalina Rising Star Award after a keen contest.
Speaking after receiving a prize of one million naira and award plaque, with a certificate of participation, Taiwo acknowledged the efforts of Shalina Healthcare for contributing to the development of the medical profession in Nigeria, saying, the company is rewarding the works of medical practitioners in the country with excellence.
Speaking further, the elated winner noted that the programme is unprecedented in the country, adding that the company must be appreciated as well as encouraged for its determination to contribute positively to the development and growth of the medical profession in the country.
Meanwhile, other winners include Dr Joy Oluchukwu Ugwuanyi, from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu State and Dr Fawale Abiola Musiliudeen, from the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State, who came first and second runner-ups, winning five hundred thousand naira and three hundred thousand naira respectively, while other participants from fourth to twelfth positions also won cash prizes accordingly.
