UBONG EDET[1 December 2016]
The College of Medical Sciences University of Calabar, UNICAL did on 28th November, 2016 graduate 45 medical doctors in its 44th Physician Oath taking ceremony, Sponsio Academia.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Thomas Agan, in his remarks at the graduation said he is delighted to witness the ceremony and described the new doctors as ‘tear rubber’.
He disclosed that the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) often times has been welcoming newly graduated doctors and other profession (nurses, radiographers and medical scientist) for internship and housemanship, so there is still for the newly inductee to apply and secure a place for housemanship.
The CMD alarmed that UCTH look forward to ensuring that Nigerians have quality and best medical services, as such due to this massive work load there ought to be employment opportunities for the new doctors and other medical professionals and their willingness to work at all cost.
Prof. Zana Akpagu UNICAL’s Vice Chancellor in welcoming the new doctors said “I’m impress with the new doctors for realizing their dreams to become medical doctors. I am proud of their teachers”, “Medical College is the flagship of the University, so the University authority has vowed to do more for the college because of the strategic importance of the profession and courses offered in the Medical College”. Though it is not easy to train students through any course in college but I salute those that were able to pass through despite the challenges.
The VC being the Chairman of the occasion on declaring the 44th Physician Oath Taking Ceremony opened encouraged the inductees to live up to expectation bearing in mind that the same council inducting them is still reserved with the right to still retrieve those license from them. “Go and be UNICAL Ambassadors everywhere he said”.
The Medical College Provost, UNICAL Prof. Maurice Asuquo lauded the effort of lecturers and non-teaching staff of the College for their supports to these ones, impacting them to grow to the zenith of their lives. Today we have 45 medical doctors graduating and we believe many more are coming in years to come. Alarming that his administration we see to opening new faculties and departments in the college (Pharmacy, Faculty of dentistry and others).
Induction lecture given by Prof. Saturday Etuk on the topic – Medical education in Nigeria: the challenges of the trainee and the expectations from the graduates. “History precede that during the pre-colonial era medical care was essentially provided by traditional practitioners, before the emergence of modern medicine, the first medical doctor employed in service in Nigeria was Dr. Oguntula Sapara 1896 and medical practitioner trained in Nigeria then was train to practice only in Nigeria against what is obtainable in other countries.
Going by these objectives: What is the role expected of doctors after graduation or will there be a general practitioner, future researcher and etc.
Challenges faced by intending doctors include; admission into school (numerous attempt before succeeding admission), poor funding (the establishment of medical school is a capital intensive), nature of assessment/examination, finding internship slots in Nigeria spending 10 – 15years.
Expectation of the newly graduating doctors to the health sector; improvement of health sector, place your responsibility to patients first, honesty to patient, retaining of human life, don’t certify what you’ve not verified and don’t issue death certificate when the person is still walking around.
The highpoint of the event witness the admission to oath to the newly inductees by the Registrar Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Dr. A. A. Ibrahim ably represented by Dr. Henry Okunye and distribution of awards of Merit to respective students.
Bassey Kubiangha prize awarded to overall best graduating student Bassey, Ubong-Basey John
Bassey Kubiangha prize awarded to overall best student in the first part 1 MBBCh examination Etuk, Emediong Saturday
Isabella Foundation Prize awarded to the best graduating student of Surgery Ndem, Idarasit Idongesit.
Provost Prize Prof. Maurice Asuquo awarded to the best graduating student Bassey, Ubong-Bassey John
Responding on behalf of the inductees into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN the class representative Dr. Odey, Ukeate Effenji commended the university management and their parents for their support and pledged on behalf of his colleagues that they will be of good conduct wherever they find themselves.
The induction ceremony which held at the University of Calabar International Conference Center was graced by all and sundry.
UBONG EDET,
Is a 200L Student of Biochemistry (UNICAL)
