Fresh medical graduands of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye were on Tuesday, 16th March, 2021 formally called to medical profession by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The graduating medical doctors, numbering 17, sworn to the Hippocratic Oath under the watchful eyes of the MDCN Registrar, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, who was represented by the MDCN Deputy Registrar, Dr. Henry Okwuokenye, at a ceremony held at the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS) Auditorium, Sagamu Campus.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, who declared the ceremony open, was visibly elated in gratitude to God Almighty for the feat recorded in producing the medical graduands despite all odds, especially, the menace of COVID-19 pandemic. He attributed the success story to the special commitments of the members of staff. Speaking further, Prof. Olatunde who was confident of the high quality of medical training in the University, noted the growing relevance of the health professionals, especially the medical doctors. This, he said, was occasioned by the soaring demand for healthcare services across the globe in the wake of the menace of COVID-19 pandemic in the last one year.
“In the wake of the menace of Covid-19 pandemic a year ago, the demand for healthcare services has soared across the globe, with increasing pressure on the available number of frontline workers, usually led by the medical doctors. While we thank God for how He has helped us thus far, this experience has revealed how grossly inadequate the numbers of health workers in most part of the world, especially in the underdeveloped and developing nations, in the face of a major health challenge. This has, n clear terms, emphasised the growing relevance of health professionals, most especially the medical doctors,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
Dr. (Mrs) Oluwatoni Onabolu
While appreciating parents and guardians for their values of patience, perseverance, optimism and prayers employed to support their wards during the training period, the Vice Chancellor implored the fresh graduands to reciprocate their sponsors’ gestures whenever the need arises. He also enjoined them to follow diligently the ethics of the profession and be good ambassadors of this University. “Also, as proud Alumni, always remember the University that produced you and contribute your quota towards her development,” Prof. Olatunde emphasised.
In his address, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, who also shared in the joy of the medical graduands, saluted their courage for all the sacrifice, resilience and steadfastness during the course of their programme. He, however, charged them to always be guided by the principles of their noble profession as they would be accountable for professional practices in the course of contributing their quota towards the development of the country.
“I must say that the burden you have borne in the course of your study is nothing compared to the demand of the medical profession. Therefore, as you take the Hippocratic Oath today and commence your professional practice as health care experts, you should be conscious of your actions and inactions as they could lead to irreversible consequences on human life, and I urge you to value the Oath to enable you deliver to the satisfaction of the society,” Prof. Arigbabu advised. While also applauding the University Management and the entire staff of the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Sagamu for doing great in the task before them year after year, the Commissioner described them as “worthy custodians of the future” of the country and urged them not to rest on their oars.
Speaking further, Prof. Arigbabu, who emphatically appreciated the efforts of the State Government under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun for turning around the health sector since inception of his administration, highlighted some of his interventions. These, according to him, included upgrading of the facilities of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu to an international standard, recruitment of adequate manpower and constituting a Governing Council to pilot the affairs of the institution, rehabilitation of Primary Health Care Centres across the 20 Local Government Areas of the State, while still putting in place machineries and more drastic efforts to eradicate the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. These include the recent receipt by the State Government of 50,000 doses of Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine to guard against the spread of the virus.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS) Sagamu, Prof. A. O. Olatunji, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his show of love and support to the College at all times. Prof. Olatunji also appreciated the selflessness of the MDCN Registrar and the Guest Lecturer, Dr (Mrs) Oluwatoni O. Onabolu, as well as those who graced the event. The Provost, who recalled the adequate, proper and standard training the medical doctors had been exposed to, admonished them to deliver their duties with “high sense of responsibility, integrity, interest and dignity of their patients at all times.”
In her induction lecture entitled, “Focusing on the Future,” the Guest Lecturer, Dr. (Mrs) Oluwatoni O. Onabolu, emphasised the need for the medical graduands to develop a quest for more knowledge to be relevant in the contemporary society considering the threats and opportunities that abound.
She noted that the future, for a medical doctor, looks promising but only the reinforcement of the strength of such medical practitioner in an environment through knowledge acquisition, would afford him or her the ability to compete favourably with both the potential and emerging threats in the society. Dr. Onabolu noted that emotional intelligence takes priority in the relationship with clients and co-workers as, according to her, “patient-doctor relationship is not taught in medical school, it is what you have to acquire.”
While also acknowledging the place of experience, moderate living and integrity, Dr. Onabolu submitted that “No one knows it all. Experience counts a lot in medicine and you cannot acquire it in one year. It is important to have a computer to be abreast of new development. You also need medical journals in your own field of interest. When practicing in a remote area you can gain information from Tele Medicine.”
In his comments, the representative of the MDCN Registrar, Dr Henry Okwuokenye, emphasised the need for the fresh graduands to have more quest for professionalism in their calling. He enjoined them to choose an area of speciality in response to the realities of the society where demand for Specialist Doctor had overtaken the want for medical Doctors. While admonishing the graduands of the need to respect the dignity of their patients and eschew any form of professional misconduct that could bring shame or name of their profession into disrepute, the MDCN Registrar reminded them of the need to prepare to justify the decisions and actions taken in the course of delivering to the society. He, however, emphasised that MDCN had two organs – the tribunal and the disciplinary body that sanction erring members usually found wanting in character.
According to him, “After your permanent registration with the Council, it becomes so expedient for you to choose an area of specialty. People are no more looking for Doctors, they are now looking for specialists; they are looking for Gynaecologists, Surgeons, Neurologists, and Paediatrics etc.” “Medicine is an Art and Science, and Medical profession is a very noble one, and even the noblest of all professions. Always note that it is character first before learning. Having been adequately prepared in the Science of Medicine, endeavour to be upright in the Art too,” the Registrar noted.
Other distinguished guests at the event included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Deji Agboola; Registrar, Mr. Femi Ogunwomoju; University Librarian, Dr. Adebambo Oduwole, and the Chief Medical Director, OOUTH, Sagamu, Dr. Peter Adefuye.
