- MDCN inducts 101 new doctors
By Gabriel Dike
Thirty-two medical students out of 101 on Monday set a new Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, academic record as they graduated with distinctions.
At the ceremony, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) inducted the 101 new medical students into the profession with a warning to adhere to the ethics of the profession.
Chisom Emmanuella Okafor made history as she obtained 10 distinctions, and Olayiwola Peace Temitope recorded nine distinctions.
Okafor was presented plaque and cash by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Ogun State chapter and also received N500,000 from an anonymous donor. She also received personal cash of N100,000 from the chairman and secretary of NMA.
In his address, Provost Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Prof. John Sotunsa, described the induction as a milestone in the lives of the new doctors.
Prof. Sotunsa disclosed that 32 of the new medical doctors graduated with distinctions, and one of them recorded distinctions in all the fields of training.
Sotunsa said no nation can rise above the health of its people, adding, “It is no surprise that the rich nations have low maternal death and the poor nations number maternal death in hundred.’’
According to him, the graduates have been equipped not only with clinical excellence but with a moral compass and a global perspective.
“You graduate into a country with many health challenges, yet that means you graduate into tremendous opportunity. The true measure of your education is not in your title, but in your impact,” he stated.
The Vice Chancellor of BU, Prof. Ademola Tayo, who spoke on the theme: “The Sacred of Successful Medical Practice”, said the new doctors have been prepared to step into a sacred vocation.
He explained that the college has become a beacon of excellence in Nigeria and beyond as it boasts of cutting-edge simulation laboratory, internationally benchmarked curricula, research-led teaching and a track record of excellence in qualifying examinations.
The VC informed the new doctors that they are entering a healthcare environment in deep transition, full of challenges, yet brimming with opportunity.
“Nigeria now has approximately 55,000 registered doctors for over 220 million people, equating to 3.9 doctors per 10,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommended minimum of 10 per 10,000,’’ he noted.
Tayo, who was represented by the Deputy VC (academics), Prof. Philemon Amanze, revealed that in the past decade, 16,000 Nigerian doctors have emigrated due to poor working conditions, low wages, and systemic frustration.
He shared with the medical doctors five foundational principles, which are competence rooted in lifelong learning, compassion as prescription, integrity and ethics, collaboration over competition and faith as their anchor.
The Registrar of MDCN, Prof. Fatima Kyari, who inducted the 101 new doctors, read the riot act to them and warned them to avoid professional misconduct.
Kyari, who was represented by the Head of Registration of MDCN, Tijani Ali, advised the medical doctors to obey the ethics of the profession and also that they must complete the two-year housemanship.
He appealed to them to join politics so that they can be part of the decision-making process on issues affecting the profession.
The Medical Elder, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, commended BU for producing quality medical doctors and expects them to contribute their quota to the healthcare system of the country.
Oreh, who is the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, said half of Nigerian medical doctors are currently working outside the country and are mainly in the UK and the USA.
The representative of the graduating class, Dr. Chidinma Eze, lauded the commitment of their lecturers and the university for nurturing them to become medical doctors.
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