FEATURED NEWS
MDCN Inducts 57 Medics, Dental Surgeons At 44th Ceremony
- Details
- Published: 23 June 2019
- Written by Otikor Samuel
For the second time in three months, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has inducted another set of 41 medical doctors and 16 dental surgeons trained by the College of Health Sciences.
The latest exercise was a major highlight of the 44th Induction/Oath-taking Ceremony which held at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium on Thursday, May 30, 2019. Registrar of MDCN, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, administered the Physicians' Pledge on the new doctors at a well-patronised ceremony witnessed by a large pool of parents, guardians, friends and well-wishers, amongst other stakeholders.
Administering the Pledge, Dr Sanusi charged the new inductees to prioritise service and care for human life above material benefits and personal comfort. He told them to see humanitarian service as their guiding principle in the medical profession. The Registrar also stressed the need for continued synergy between the College of Health Sciences and the Teaching Hospital in the training of quality personnel in the specialised field of medicine and allied fields.
“You have to guard against unethical conduct in the course of your practice. There are appropriate penalties that come with suspension or withdrawal of licence and once you fall into the trap, it may not only tarnish your reputation but it may also take a long time for you to put yourself fully back on track. That is why we take time to remind you of what practically awaits you outside the first phase of your medical training,” the Registrar said.
Dr. Sanusi assured the new doctors that MDCN has almost overcome the bottlenecks against their internship placement, promising to resolve the remaining difficulties once the enabling legislation was signed into law.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale, congratulated the 41 new medical doctors and 16 dental surgeons for successfully completing their medical training in the University. He once again, commended lecturers in the College for imparting knowledge to the newly-inducted doctors, heaping praises on their families for investing in their wards.
“Let me congratulate the 57 inductees we are gathered here to celebrate on the successful completion of their medical training in this University today. There is no doubt that these inductees have faced daunting challenges during their medical training, but their presence here this morning is a final confirmation that they have successfully overcome all obstacles on their way to becoming certified medical doctors and dental surgeons,” the Vice Chancellor stated.
He charged them to be worthy ambassadors of the University through diligent service to their patients and society. The Vice Chancellor praised the immediate past Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Christie Mato for her excellent services to the College and University. He also commended her successor, Professor Iyeopu Siminialayi for starting on a good note less than two months after assuming office as 10th Provost of the College.
Earlier in his address, Professor Siminialayi broke the cheering news that the MDCN has provisionally increased the admission quota for Medicine and Surgery in the University to 150. He appealed to the Vice Chancellor to prioritise the construction of a customised building for the College to enable it realise its full potentials.
In his admonition, the Medical Elder, Dr Osobonye Long-John, charged the new inductees to abide by the Physicians' Pledge to be properly guided in practice. “The environment we are in will tempt you to break the Oath, but you must resist anything that would tempt you to flout the Oath, because you would be happier and fulfilled keeping to the rules of the profession. Money is good, but a good name and the satisfaction you would derive from serving with integrity are by far better. I have practised in so many parts of the world where doctors are driven by a deep passion for the job,” the Medical Elder advised his younger colleagues.
Dr Richard Oko-Jaja admonished the inductees on behalf of the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Professor Henry Ugboma, while the 5th Vice Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs and a representative of the Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association presented goodwill messages at the occasion.
Other highlights of the 44th Induction/Oath-taking Ceremony were presentation of prizes to the best students in various subject areas, including the Valedictory Speech by Dr Anniebietobong Obot, who carted away more than five of the prizes.
