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131 New Medical Doctors Take Physicians’ Oath

It was a harvest of accolades and a bundle of joy when 131 new  Doctors took the Physicians’ Oath as part of an elaborate ceremony that marked the induction of the 30th Batch of Medical Graduating Doctors from the College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, penultimate Friday at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium.

Speaking at the event, Vice- Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka, charged them to be good Ambassadors of the University, stating that “These young entrants into the medical profession have every reason to be grateful and proud of the quality training they received from the University. They are being inducted as Doctors at a time when the profile of their Alma Mater is rising in and outside the country”.

“You must abide by the hallowed ethics of the medical profession that shows respect for the sanctity of life and selfless service to humanity. As young Doctors, you must recognize the humanitarian nature of the profession you have chosen to join out of your own free will” he told them, warning that “ We do not want to receive reports that you brought this University to disrepute by engaging in practices that are at variance with the Oath of your profession and expectations of society”.

The Vice Chancellor announced that concerted efforts were being made to lift the temporary suspension of accreditation of the Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme at the next meeting of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, pointing out that the problem that resulted in the suspension was procedural and not as a result of any noticed deficiency in the MBBS programme. “As you may be aware, the Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery programme of the University of Port Harcourt is the widely acclaimed flagship of medical training Centres in Nigeria. The Department of Medicine had consistently ranked Number One in the Country for sometime now, thus, resulting in over- subscription of the programme by prospective candidates”, he said.

In his Welcome Address, Provost of the College, Professor Chris Akani, who congratulated the new Medical Doctors on their success, enjoined them to demonstrate the skills and qualities they acquired during their training in the College. “For those of you who have had the opportunity of going through this Institution, you are supposed to be products that have been moulded in character and in learning and presented to the public as qualified to practice Medicine”, noting that the profession they have been called into demanded extreme discipline and respect for constituted authority. He said: “I congratulate and charge you to remember that you are a sign- board advertising where you are coming from. Our image remains very important to us and you must strive to keep our flag flying”. In a Goodwill Message, Chief Medical Director of University of Port Harcourt ( UPTH), Professor Aaron Ojule, who was represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Council of the Hospital, Dr. Christy Mato, advised the new Doctors not to forget the Code of Conduct of the profession, disclosing that the Hospital would give automatic Housemanship placement to the best 10 Doctors.

The Valedictorian, Dr Ogechukwu Odo, thanked authorities of the University, Lecturers in the College, as well as parents and guardians for giving them the opportunity to realize their dreams. She said that the Physicians’ Oath they took marked the beginning of a long and fulfilling career for them. “We have been trained by the best Medical School in Nigeria. The Society is looking up to us to impact positively on it and refrain from any form of malpractice; not being found to be negligent in our duties and practice our profession with utmost diligence”, she advised her colleagues.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of Dr (Mrs) Ebimie Okara as Medical Elder of the day, launching of the current edition of Port Harcourt Medical Journal, as well as administration of the Physicians’ Oath on the new Doctors on behalf of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria by the Provost.

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