VICE Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kayode Adebowale, has asked 128 new doctors the university just churned out to be watchmen over people’s health and wellbeing.
Professor Adebowole, speaking at the induction into the medical profession for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduating class of 2023, said theirs is a calling unto honour and to be agents of change for the health and lives of Nigerians.
He stated, “please do not only attend to the medical and health concerns of patients, but also see to their total wellbeing by providing all-round care required to make a wholesome and fulfilled personality.
“Never forget your humanity, or that of your patients. They are people, not just a collection of specialised body parts. Be prepared to be accountable for everything you do; be prepared to welcome your patients’ participation in decisions about their care, be prepared to devote your professional energies not only to your patients’ needs but also to the unmet health needs of the society as a whole.”
Provost of the College of Medicine at the university, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, who described the new doctors as exceptional students who are bold, intellectually brilliant, quick thinkers and having a strong sense of the community, urged them, peradventure they migrate to other countries, not to burn the bridges but always sow back into their alma mater.
Omigbodun decried Nigeria training doctors for export, urging for increased spaces for training of more doctors in the country and retention of the best hands as well.
The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, said the council will not trade quality for quantity because of the health of Nigerians, adding that doctors must earn the leadership of the healthcare team, respect other members of the team, be disciplined and dedicated to service.
Dr Sanusi said Nigeria is not graduating enough doctors and, as such, the new doctors should consider staying back to salvage the country.
Reading a riot act to doctors, he said strike is a privilege and employers must be notified before embarking on it, while patients already on admission should not be discharged and the accident and emergency units must provide first aid and refer appropriately.
“Accident and Emergency units must be properly covered by way of duty roaster, even by those who are on strike; they have that responsibility to see them and give first aid before asking that they go to seek for treatment wherever.
“We need to let you know, it is because people have not reported doctors. I can assure you that quite a lot of people that went on strike will not escape, now that the Federal Consumer Council (FCC) is actually beaming their searchlight on doctors,” he said.
President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA), Worldwide, Professor Dipo Otolorin, urged the new doctors to consider specialist training in care of newborns and obstetrics and gynaecology to prevent unnecessary deaths of mothers and newborn babies.
