MDCN Inducts 26 Doctors From Igbinedion University

On Monday, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) inducted 26 newly qualified medical doctors from Igbinedion University’s 2021/2022 session, Okada (IUO), Edo State, into professional practice.

The Registrar of the council, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, represented by Dr. Henry Okwuokenye, a Deputy Registrar of the council, administered the oath.

Sanusi advised the new doctors to embrace specialisation in the field of medicine to enable them remain relevant and in a global competitive world.

Speaking during the 17th oath-taking and induction ceremony in Okada, Benin, the Vice-Chancellor of IUO, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, noted that 18 out of the 26 new doctors were females.

Ezemonye, who drew the attention of government to the massive ongoing brain drain in the health sector, said the phenomenon was affecting and depleting the number of doctors in the country.

“Today’s event provides a further opportunity to draw attention to the massive on-going brain drain in the health sector. The phenomenon is affecting medical doctors and all cadres of health workers. It is depleting the number of doctors in the country.

“And impacting negatively on the doctor to patient ratio and contributing to worsening of the unacceptable high morbidity and mortality data for the country. The urgency for government and all stakeholders to address the issue cannot be over emphasised,” he said.

According to Ezemonye, Igbinedion university places premium on high ethical standards in the training of its medical students.

Read Also: 178 Medical, Dental Graduates Pass MDCN Assessment Exam

“We will, therefore, continue to collaborate with the council to produce doctors that will uphold the Hippocratic oath and practice the profession with honour, dignity and fear of God.

“Altogether, 26 medical doctors produced by the Oba Sijuade Okunade College of Health Sciences, who have been found worthy in character and learning will be inducted into the medical profession at this ceremony.

“An induction ceremony for newly qualified doctors is certainly an opportunity to reinforce the ethical basis of the noble profession of Medicine and Dentistry,” he added.

He commended the visionary leadership of the Founder and Chancellor, Chief (Dr.) Gabriel Igbinedion for his foresightedness in establishing the university.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, President of the World Medical Association (WMA), called on the Federal Government to address all the push factors pushing medical doctors out of the country.

Osahon said: “ Insecurity must be resolved if we must have our workforce intact. No doctor will want to work in an environment where he or she will be kidnapped.

“No doctor will also want to work in an environment where there are no working tools and medical equipment to work with.

According to him, the brain drain in the health sector needs the transparent and sincere efforts of government to tackle.

However, Osahon urged the young doctors to familiarise themselves with the rules and guidelines governing the medical profession for them to be aware of their rights in the workplace.