MDCN inducts 15 IUO graduates into medical profession

The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), on Thursday, inducted 15 Medical Students of the College Medicine, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Ovia North-East Local Government Area in Edo State into the Medical Profession.

The event which was held at the University Campus in Okada is the second scream of the 19th Induction and Oath-taking ceremony of the institution.

In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, disclosed that the 15 inductees brought to 66 (sixty-six) the total number of doctors from the 2023/2024 set.

He explained that 51 of the medical graduates were in October 2024 inducted by MDCN during the first scream, just as he congratulated the new doctors for their induction ceremony.

Ezemonye who tasked the doctors with professionalism which according to him is the core of every disciplined vacation, said that recognised professions are regulated and guided by principles and ethics of practice.

“Dealing with patients in various conditions can take a toll on the emotional and mental health of new medical professionals.

“This means you will have to develop resilience and coping strategies to survive.

“These challenges highlight the need for increased support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for new medical professionals to ensure a smoother transition into their roles”, he said

The Vice-Chancellor who was represented at the event by Prof. Raphael Afeghe, stated that the institution is proud to have contributed to the journey of the doctors, especially having equipped them with the required knowledge, skills, and values paramount in the practice of medicine.

“It is now your (the new doctors) responsibility to carry this legacy forward, to be the advocates of change, and the torchbearers of a brighter future for healthcare in our nation”, Ezemonye charged the Inductees.

Administering the Hippocratic Oath on the new doctors, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MDCN, Dr. Fatima Kyari, emphasised the code of conduct for medical practitioners and implored the new doctors to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the medical profession.

Kyari who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Registrar of the body, Dr. Enejo Abdu, advised the Inductees not to violate their oath and affirmation by always keeping patients’ medical information secret.

He reminded the inductees of strict sanctions and punishment prescribed by the law against any inductee found at any point in time breaking the guidelines, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

Delivering his lecture titled “Medicine as A Vocation”, the guest speaker, Prof. Moses Momoh, said that the practice of medicine is more of vacation than profession, hence, the need for doctors to see their induction as a divine mandate.

Prof. Momoh who is the Medical Director, CITI Surgeons, informed the Inductees that their success in medical practice would be measured by their impact on their patients, colleagues, trainees, community, and institutions.

While advising the doctors to have passion and show kindness to their patients, the guest speaker, whoever enjoined the Inductees to always exhibit knowledge that would give confidence to their patients.

“Beyond the call of your duty, you must be kind and nice to your patients. Take the medicine practice as more of a vacation than profession,” he said.