The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has inducted the 25th set of 23 Medical Graduands into the Medical Profession. The induction was conducted by the MDCN Registrar, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar, Dr. Henry Okwuokenye. The ceremony which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS), Auditorium, Sagamu Campus on Tuesday, 28th May, 2019, had in attendance the representative of the Governor of Ogun State, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, Mr. Olugbenga Kikisuhu and other invited guests among whom was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health Matters, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe, who was also the Guest Lecturer at the event.
Declaring the ceremony open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde did not only congratulate the graduands for their perseverance, hardwork, and determination in weathering the storms during the course of their studies, but also felicitated with the entire members of the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences on the success of the 2019 edition of the annual event, which according to him signified the results of commitment and dedication to duty. The Vice-Chancellor further congratulated the parents and guardians and enjoined them not to rest on their oars, as the values of patience, perseverance, optimism and prayers employed to support their wards hitherto had not gone in vain, and thus must be sustained to guide them in life especially, at this critical period of the graduands lives.
He further reassured the Medical inductees that the University had adequately prepared them to meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century, as prosperous graduates considering the immeasurable uniqueness inherent in the training they went through, which according to the University’s helmsman was designed for them to competitively and excellently practice Medicine in Nigeria and Diaspora, while following diligently the ethics of the profession.
Giving his address as the Chairman of the occasion, the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, FCA, CON, who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Olugbenga Kikisuhu of the State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, also congratulated the graduands on their feats adding that induction ceremony was a moment of triumph after sweat, determination and hardwork. While describing medicine as one of the most esteemed vocations owing to its direct relevance to human existence, Senator Ibikunle Amosun charged the graduands to be courageous, have big dreams and ambition, and strive for excellence while staying committed to the ethical values of the medical profession as they prepare to enter the world. He, thereafter, commended the entire University Community for the successful event.
In his welcome address, the Provost, Obafemi Awolowo
Delivering an induction lecture entitled “The Medical Doctor and the Society: Preparing for the Unclear Roles”, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Rotimi Ogungbe who congratulated the graduands on their achievements despite all odds, described Medical Doctor as a person who had been educated, trained , and licensed to practice the art and science of medicine. While describing them as distinguished members of the society with attendant burden of mutual expectations between them (doctors) and other members of the society, Dr. Ogungbe added that the uniqueness of the distinction equipped the doctors with unending yet unclear potentials and roles which could only be overcome through continuous multi-sectoral capacity building. He further highlighted the basic duties of healthcare professional which included Leadership (in Inter-Professional Collaborative Practice settings), Health Promotion, Health Education (360 degrees of the society), Specific intervention (Preventive, Diagnostic, Treatment, Rehabilitation), and Research.
While advising them to “achieve Professional Fulfilment and Economic Empowerment, and fulfilling the societal expectations (in cash and/or kind)”, the Guest lecturer, enjoined the graduands as distinguished leaders in healthcare sector, to participate in all sectors of the economy by being healthcare professionals who participate with enterprise spirit in the sectors. These he said, were achievable through soft skill domains of Role Clarification, Team Functioning, Patient/Client/Family/Community-Centred Care, Collaborative Leadership (Situational Leadership), Inter-professional Communication, and Inter-professional Conflict Resolution.
In his own speech, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, equally congratulated the entire University Community, parents, guardians, and the celebrants. He admonished the graduands to be the best they could to themselves in particular and to humanity in general. This he said was achievable by acquainting themselves with the Code of Professional Ethics which prescribed the professional and moral responsibilities to the patients, colleagues, other health professionals, their employers and the general public, among others, as the Council frowns at professional misconduct in its entirety, adding that mentorship in this direction by the senior colleagues in the profession especially, from the medical school became highly imperative.
Speaking further the Registrar reminded the new entrants that medical practice should not be seen as a profession alone, but also a health care vocation where they were expected to give back to the society that produced them. While calling on government to, as a matter of urgency, introduce bonding of young medical graduates from Medical School to safeguard mass exodus of these professionals abroad, Dr. Sanusi equally challenged the professional government officials on appointive posts to ensure promotion and execution of health policies while in service in the interest of the health sector for service delivery to the public.
The highpoint of the event was presentation of the 23 graduands by the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof. M. B. Fetuga and the Provost, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS) Prof. A. O. Olatunji for the administration of Oaths which was conducted by the MDCN Registrar. This elicited funfair and shouts of ecstasy from the graduands, their parents, guardians, friends, family and loved ones within the premises of the induction ceremony revealing the joyful mood of the graduands who were among the lucky few that participated in the memorable annual event.
