By Okpokpo Okhumode, Auchi
Edo State University Uzairue has recorded another milestone in the Faculty of Medicine by graduating the first set of Bachelor of Medicine ( MB) and Bachelor of Surgery ( MS) class in a record of 6 years and 2 weeks.
Performing the induction and oath taking ceremony, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. T.A.B Sanusi advised the newly inducted doctors to take their profession very serious.
He said the MDCN is a statutory body established by law through the federal government adding that their call to service is a call to humanity hence, they should be very compassionate in their dealings.
The registrar however thanked the state government for the support towards the establishment of the university’s medical school and also approval of the Auchi General Hospital to Edo State University Uzairue Teaching Hospital which the council have accredited for housemanship for young doctors.
According to him,”this profession is like paramilitary there are many dos and don’t, the responsibility attached to it is more than the excitement you have today, we are dealing with human life therefore you must ensure that do no harm to any individual.”
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Engr. Prof Emmanuel Aluyor said the momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the history of education in Nigeria.
The VC while congratulating the inductees of the MBBS Class of 2022, said their persistent, resilience, dedication, unwavering commitment to studies, pursuit of knowledge, and determination to become medical professionals have enable them to complete the rigorous program in record time.
Prof. Aluyor also expressed his deepest appreciation to the parents and guardians for their unwavering support and confidence in the university saying that their faith, constant encouragement and sacrifices for the institution has been instrumental to the success of these brilliant young minds.
According to him,”none of this would have been possible without the exceptional faculty members and trainers who have guided and mentored these students, your passion for teaching, dedication to your craft, your unwavering commitment to excellence have molded these students into competent and compassionate medical professionals”.
Prof Emmanuel Aluyor also expressed his appreciation to the state government for its visionary initiative to establish the university’s medical school and for its continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities.
“The government’s unwavering commitment to education and healthcare has paved the way for the seamless graduation of these students, the state-of-the-art facilities provided by the government have created an environment conducive for learning, research and innovation”, he added.
“The induction of the MBBS CLASS of 2022 reminds us of the immense impact these newly trained physicians will have on the society, their expertise, compassionate and commitment to healing will undoubtedly ameliorate health issues not only in Nigeria but also across the globe”.
The VC also commended the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria ably led by the Registrar, Dr. T. A. B. Sanusi for being a pillar of support, understanding and cooperation to ensure that the ceremony was successful.
Delivering a lecture titled “Evolution and Ethical Implications of the Physical Pledge as a Guide for Medical Practitioners” by Dr. Uche Roland Ojinmah, President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the cemetery, analysized the ethics, oath taking and implications of the medical profession.
He said the oath,code of medical ethics and resultant regulation of medical practice became a necessity in going forward.
According to him, the nexus between the physician’s oath and medical ethics could be conclusively said that ethics is numbered summation of the oath pledge while the medical oath is clearly the fundamental basis of medical ethics.
He said Hippocratic oath entails confidentiality, ethics and decency, appropriate referral, respect for human life and therapy and ethics.
In conclusion he said that the oath started as a moral documents with heavy religious learning segregation clauses and gender discrimination adding that the oath had undergone modification based on landmarks events, changing social beliefs and practices to become a better standard.