…As Gregory varsity graduates 1st set of doctors
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, has explained why the Council is strict on accreditation for medical colleges.
Registrar of the Council, Dr T.A.B Sanusi, who made the explanations during the maiden induction ceremony of medical graduates of Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, said it was to ensure quality of their products.
He said that the Council would not fail to take the necessary precautions to eliminate human errors in medical practice that could have dire consequences.
“What we fail to do today will hunt us in future; that’s why it looks as if MDCN accreditation is too harsh. It’s not harsh because once a life is lost, it’s lost forever.
“We will always do everything possible to ensure that no life is lost through negligence or malpractice. All hands must be on deck to ensure that we must actually train competent doctors who when they touch us, we will be safe.”
He disclosed that MDCN had over 117 pending petitions against medical doctors in the country.
Meanwhile, MDCN, has threatened to shut down the Medical College of the Abia State University Uturu, if by its next accreditation slated for next week, it fails to pass through.
Describing the forthcoming accreditation as “make or mar” the MDCN Registrar advised the State Government and ABSU management to ensure the requirements for the restoration of the College’s accreditation were provided.
Recall that ABSU Medical College lost accreditation last year following the near comatose mature of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba (ABSUTH), due to continuous strike actions by doctors who were then protesting 24 months accumulated salary arrears.
The Registrar tasked doctors on procedure and ethical conducts during industrial action.
He cautioned doctors on housemanship against participating in industrial actions.
Dr Sanusi also warned them against joining the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), saying that the Council policy prohibits that even though it is their right to freedom of association as guaranteed by the Nigeria constitution.
“If they call for strike and you join them, you are on your own because housemanship is so structured in such a way that you have 12 uninterrupted weeks in each of the postings.
“If for any reason you default, you start all over again, and the extra time you spend is at no cost to Government.”
He further noted that although doctors had their rights to go on strike, they are under obligation to care for their patients already on admission before the strike was declared.
“Strikes are recognised in labour but in the medical profession, if you must go on strike, there are procedures that you need to follow:
“By the time the strike is called, yes, you may not admit new patients but those old patients in the wards, you owe them duty of care! You have not been reported, that’s why we have not taken anybody up.
“You owe care of duty to any patient you have admitted. And Accident and Emergency unit must be covered 24 hours a day by way of duty roster of the striking doctors. By the time you cover Accident and Emergency and give duty care to patients on admission, it will become difficult for Government to apply ‘no work, no pay’ rule.”
The MDCN Registrar congratulated the inductees and urged them to uphold the ethics of medical profession as they practice.
He also commended GUU for establishing and running medical school while urging the management to improve on the facilities on ground.
Speaking at the glamorous ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, described the maiden induction as a huge success and dream come true for the institution.
The VC who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Professor Uwaoma Uche, expressed delight that the university has been a success story.
“We started, many people did not believe us, but today, we rank among the best in South-East,” he said.
He disclosed that the 1000-bed hospital at Ezinnachi, in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, had recorded 80% completion.
The VC commended the Founder of the university, Professor Greg Ibe, for his vision, noting that the university has provided opportunities for tertiary education admission seekers in the South-East and beyond to study different professional courses of their choices.
Earlier in a remark, the Deputy Provost of the College, Professor Ijeoma Nduka, advised the inductees to be well behaved and care for their patients.
She encouraged them to always seek second opinion when confused, and to make use of technology.
Speaking also, Gov. Alex Otti, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, commended the Founder of GUU for his huge investment in the critical sector of education, and expressed the readiness of his administration to support and partner “progressives” in moving the state forward.
Otti said his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state, adding that if Abia becomes a major economic hub, its economy will grow.
The Governor charged the inductees to be focused and shun malpractices capable of tainting their image.
Meanwhile, Dr Davies Glory Oluwasijibomi, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating student, with a lot of awards.
In her valedictory speech, she commended the contributions of her parents, lecturers and others in molding her, and promised not to disappoint them.
