Emma Elekwa
Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Prof Ugochukwu Anyaehie has described as parasitic attitude of staff of institutions who receive salaries without working to justify the pay.
The VC stated this on Thursday during the 124th Inaugural Lecture of the university, titled, “Parasitology: The Basis of Medical Practice”, delivered by Prof Solomon Ukibe, a professor of medical microbiology and Parasitology.
Anyaehie, represented by Director Academic Planning, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Angela Ufele-Obesie said such individuals were not only nuisance to such organization, but setbacks to its growth and should be ready to face sanctions.
He said, “If you’re not working in this university, and you’re being paid, you’re a parasite as well as disturbance to the peace of the University.
“The same applies to families. Even if you’re a child, there are certain responsibilities expected of him
“But once you’re not doing the work and thereby giving your parents headache, you’re a parasite.
“Everyone should know their job and be ready to perform that. There should also be job orientation, especially for the new intakes so they don’t feign ignorance.
There should be consequences
“Failure to do that, and collecting salaries at the end of the month, they’re parasites and should be ready to face the consequences.”
On the topic of the lecture, the VC said, “there’s no way you’ll excel in medicine without encountering parasite. Parasite is a serious disturbance, particularly to people in this part of the world.
“This parasite keep medical doctors busy. If there are no parasite, they’ll have less work to do. They assist us in tackling the parasites so we can be free from germs and that’s the crux of the lecture.”
Earlier, the inaugural lecturer, Ukibe described parasitology as important in all fields of medicine, including surgery, gynecology, internal medicine and others.
He said the choice of the topic was to bring it to the fore in view of its being trivialized despite its importance to human existence.
He said, “Most doctors regard Parasitology as areas meant for people in biological sciences.
“But most things treated in medicine originated from Parasitology. That’s why I chose this area to make it more important.
“I’m a parasitologist but also do all forms of surgery. That’s the same notion I pass on to my students. Parasitology should not be ignored.
“Malaria affects every organ in the body. People suffering from malaria visit the pharmacy to buy chloroquine or other drugs and assume it has been treated.
“But when they come to a parasitologist and they’re told they still have malaria, they don’t agree. Some even call it typhoid or other names.
“Some illness diagnosed to be cancer may just be parasite. If you don’t think about the illness first, you won’t get the diagnosis.”
