Sokoto: The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) on Monday inducted 122 Medicine and Surgery graduates of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), marking their formal entry into the medical profession.
The Registrar of the MDCN, Dr Fatima Kyari, represented by Dr Muntari Madaka, led the oath-taking ceremony and charged the inductees to view their new role as a service to humanity.
Kyari, represented by Dr Muntari Madaka, emphasised the importance of adhering to professional conduct, which are the ethical guidelines binding every doctor in Nigeria.
She also urged them to consider the privilege as a real opportunity that thousands of people in the country yearn for.
The registrar enjoined them to be mindful of their significance in society, stressing that their journey in the medical field starts immediately.
She added that medical practice is procedural and hierarchical, and characterised by mutual respect and reciprocity.
“The profession is patient-centred. I am optimistic that lecturers and tutors have prepared you fully for the challenges ahead.
“You have to embrace the transformative momentum in healthcare service delivery,” she said.
According to her, MDCN is committed to expanding medical school intake and shaping healthcare services in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She cautioned the doctors against unlicensed practice and urged them to seek mentorship and specialisation, warning that the medical profession is becoming increasingly complex.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Bashir Garba, reminded the inductees of their responsibilities, emphasising the need to care for the sick and vulnerable.
“This noble profession demands not only deep compassion, but also an unwavering commitment to life-long learning and dedication.
“As future leaders of healthcare, you bear the weighty responsibility of caring for the sick and vulnerable, which requires steadfast dedication and professionalism,” he said.
Garba commended the MDCN and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for expanding the admission quota from 150 to 300, describing it as a landmark achievement.
He further commended the school of health sciences for its courage and dedication, and reassured the university of its continued investment in research and scholarships.
The Chairman of the occasion, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Sununu, charged the doctors to practise with empathy, integrity and professionalism.
Sununu urged the inductees to uphold the profession’s ethics and asked parents to continue supporting them.
He described the healthcare landscape as evolving, with numerous challenges that require innovative minds and standards.
The Provost of the university’s College of Health Sciences, Prof. Abdulgafar Jimo, said graduates had been equipped with skills and knowledge to excel in their careers.
Jimo commended the institution’s resilience and urged government and other stakeholders to sustain support and investments.
The Provost described the moment as the fulfilment of years of discipline, sacrifice and resilience.
“This induction marks your transition into a life of service to humanity,” he said.
The inductees included 33 females and 89 males from different parts of the country.
The event was attended by the Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, Prof. Anas Samir; the Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Yakubu Augie; the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Faruk Wurno; and others.
A cross-section of inductees expressed happiness and appreciated their parents and teachers for supporting them, noting that they would utilise the positions to positively impact society.