The healthcare sector in Nigeria has reached a new milestone with the registration of 130,000 medical doctors since the inception of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) 61 years ago.
This announcement was made by Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the MDCN.
Dr. Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar, Dr. Victor Kolawole also pointed out that only 58,000 doctors have renewed their annual practice license, which could be attributed to the increase in migration of doctors outside the country.
The induction ceremony of 20 newly qualified doctors at the Edo State University Uzairue was a proud moment for the university and a significant milestone for the graduates.
Dr. Kyari said: “By this induction of 20 new doctors into the health workforce in Nigeria, we hope that other institutions will follow suit even as the government have said that the quota should be increase in all our training centres”.
She urged the new medical practitioners to uphold the sanctity of the profession and be law abiding as the council is mandated to regulate activities of the practitioners as well as punish offenders.
During the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, expressed his appreciation to the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his unwavering support to the university.
This support, according to him has enabled the university to operate its own teaching hospital, the Edo State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), which has enhanced facilities for the training of medical students and uplifted the standard of healthcare services in Edo North and its environs.
The newly qualified doctors were reminded by Dr. Ofunre Eboreime, the Guest Lecturer at the event, that becoming a doctor requires sacrifices, a special kind of dedication, high level of selflessness, and a strong desire to help others.
In her lecture entitled: “The Life That is Worth Living As A Doctor is in the Service to God and Humanity” Dr Eboreime emphasized that doctors are revered for medical expertise, dedicated to alleviate suffering and promote health services. She highlighted the components of service to include humility, integrity, balance service to God and man, maintenance of committed and resilient attitude, and gratitude for opportunity to serve.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, also appreciated the Vice Chancellor for the milestones recorded since the establishment of the university.
She said the Edo State Governor. Mr Godwin Obaseki is very interested in ensuring that the tertiary institutions in the state are producing world-class graduates particularly as he has continued to implement the education reform under the Edo Best agenda.
She advised the newly inducted doctors not to forget where they started from and to remain connected to the school.
Also speaking, Dr. Samuel Ali, Commissioner for Health, congratulated them for graduating at the stipulated time of 6 years not withstanding what they went through but today they have been confirmed as medical doctors.
He advised that this is not the end but the beginning of their journey to life, they should always recognize that they are representatives of the university as it will always reflect as people will always ask where did you trained.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Ag Provost College of Medical Sciences, Dr. Kenneth Atoe expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof Emmanuel Aluyor and the management team for their visionary leadership and commitment to the academic excellence which have been instrumental in shaping the medical college into a centre of excellence.
Dr Atoe equally acknowledged the trainers and teachers of the newly graduated medical doctors for their exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of healthcare in Nigeria.
