‘Japa’ will not do you much good – Registrar, MDCN
By Moses Adeniyi
Thirty-seven (37) Medical Doctors and seven Dental Surgeons, medical graduates of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, were on Thursday inducted into the medical profession, as stakeholders charged them to give consideration to serve Nigeria against fleeing for greener pastures abroad.
The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. T.A.B Sanusi, who inducted the health practitioners at the induction ceremony of the 17th set of graduating medical doctors and 7th set of graduating dental surgeons, of LASUCOM, Ikeja, said fleeing the Country has not benefited majority who did so in the past.
Charging them to be meticulous before taking a decision to leave the Country, he told them to be patriotic to the Country.
“The education you have acquired here is free of charge” he said, noting that should the new professionals decide to go abroad, they should rather “avail yourself with the opportunity of post graduate training with the mindset that you will come back and help your own native Country.”
Imploring them to be appreciative to their Country, he told them that most medical students abroad school by loan which takes them years to repay due to the cost of education, charging them that though Nigeria may not be at its best in terms of infrastructures, yet the government is trying in bearing the cost of education.
Charging them on discipline and compassion, he told them they have been called into a noble profession and must live up to expectation.
“Your are under obligation to give in your best and restore people back to health and for you to do that, discipline must be first,” MDCN Boss said.
He charged them to allay the fears of patients by being friendly to them, saying the first good embrace of medical doctors is a healing balm as “some of them (patients) do not have diseases of the body, but the mind.”
He said the induction confers on them more responsibility, saying they now owe the public a service, making the ceremony a solemn assembly, while charging them not to be driven away by euphoria.
Sanusi said Lagos State is occupying “a prime position in this Country and we cannot allow things to go down into the drain.”
On her part, the Medical Elder at the induction ceremony, Prof. Rachael Akinola said most medical graduates in other Countries as the United Kingdom run their education on loans which after graduation would take them about 30 years to pay back.
“Is there greener pastures any where?” she questioned, mentioning “if you are thinking of ‘jappaing’, it’s not all a bed of roses.”
She argued that the work load abroad for practitioners is heavy laden and may not leave a mark for leisure.
She charged them that the new phase of induction demands consolidation, tasking them on commitment to their profession, parents, and the society.
Speaking, the Provost, LASUCOM, Prof Abiodun Adewuya called on the inductees to be committed to hard work in their pursuit, charging them on professionalism.
He further charged them to use the power they have acquired as medical professionals to bring about change on patients, communities, profession, and their parents.
“Remember your parents, don’t ‘japa’ and forget your parents,” reminding them to live by the morals they have been taught.
He said LASUCOM is committed to maintaining the delivery of high quality doctors and dentists, saying since 1999 the institution has not failed on the track.
Adewuya appreciated support from the State Ministries of Health and Education, while acknowledging the contributions of parents.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Adeniran Waheed said the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led government is committed to advancing medical education in the State as part of its commitment to the second pillar of the THEMES + agenda, the policy thrust of the administration.
He charged LASUCOM to “work harder, not to rest on your oars.”
He charged the students to “be good ambassadors of this great college to make the State’s public health institutions the pride of the Country.”
He charged them to be 21st century complaint driven by knowledge and ICT complaint, given to creativity, innovation, problem solving and partnership.
“Be conscious of the confidence the State Government has in you to build the strength of the State Government owned Health Institutions,” he charged them.
The Director, Health Care Planning and Services, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mrs. Olajumoke Oyenuga who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, called on the new professionals to “give back to Nigeria”.
The Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabanwo, represented by the Director, Clinical Services and Training, Prof Adebowale said the State has given automatic employment to 15 best of the graduating medical students, mentioning the processes were done by merit.
He said LASUTH is committed to deliver on the mandate of Governor Sanwo-Olu to give sound healthcare to Lagosian, saying the Hospital has been running on a mandate to develop capacity to take referrals from other tertiary hospitals in the Country.
The best graduating student of the 7th set of Surgeon Dentists, Dr. Olaoye Olayiwola, said the programme which took them about eight years was eventful with thorough teaching and practical processes.
He expressed optimism on the Nigerian health sector, saying there are developments in the sector which according to him present opportunities for young professionals with bright mind.