The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, has charged the 81 medical graduates from the College of Health Sciences to always prioritize their patients’ well-being above all other considerations.
Ndaeyo gave the charge on Tuesday while speaking at the 22nd Physicians’ Oath-Taking Ceremony (Sponsio Academica) held at the 1000 seater auditorium of the Institution’s main Campus, Nwanniba road, Akwa Ibom State with the theme “The significance of Lifelong learning in the medical profession.”
He said, “As you take this solemn oath today, I exhort you to take every part of the oath you swear seriously, commit them to heart and make the same your guiding principles throughout your years of practice.
“Always act in the best interest of your patients and prioritize their well-being above everything else.
”Remember that you are not just treating a disease but also caring for a person who may be in their most vulnerable state.”
The VC also urged the fresh graduates to be good ambassadors of the University, noting the need for them to be curious and pursue additional knowledge, technique and professional expertise daily to “discover more modern and simplified methods of handling cases and placing value to humanity.”
While administering the oath, the registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Fatima Kyari, cautioned the new graduands against violating the ethics of the profession.
Kyari, who stated that Nigerian-trained doctors are the highest second expatriate doctors practising in the United Kingdom, however, said she regularly signs off international verification for Nigerian doctors who want to practice outside the country.
While urging the new doctors to take their oath seriously and work hard, Kyari called on Nigerian doctors to look inward to resolve the issues that are making them leave the country.
She said, “It is the firm validation of our medical training, that our training is excellent, that our doctors are sorted out all over the world.
“In the UK, Nigerian doctors, trained in Nigeria are currently the highest second expatriate doctors practising. It is not a thing of joy, our doctors are leaving.
“Apart from saying the condition is this and that, can we look inwards, can we look at how we can make ourselves stay, appreciate what we have and also scale up our training and numbers.”
In her earlier remarks, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Uniuyo, Prof Enobong Ikpeme, said the new doctors were the highest graduands the institution has ever had.
She however appealed to the doctors to take the Hippocratic Oath seriously and make it the guiding principle in their medical practice.
Ikpeme said, “I deeply congratulate these bright and beautiful conquerors for going through this arduous journey and today is full of joy, excitement and fulfilment. For the first time also, we have the highest number of graduands – (Eighty-One) we are growing.
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“The Hippocratic Oath dates back to the third and fourth century but it has gone through revisions over decades. It is an oath of ethical obligations and professional behaviour of a Medical Doctor to their patients and the wider society.
“This, therefore, must be taken very seriously by you and from now henceforth you must keep the oath close to your heart as a guiding principle in your medical practice.”
