…Inducts 348 foreign-trained doctors, dentists
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), on Tuesday, disclosed that Nigerian doctors are sought after globally because they are well trained, resilient, and could fit into any situation they found themselves, hence they are the choice of global healthcare systems.
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, MDCN, Dr. Fatima Kyari, stated this at the administration of physicians’ oath to 348 foreign-trained doctors and dentist in Abuja, which signaled their acceptance into the Nigeria’s medical practice.
Dr. Kyari, who performed the function in Abuja, congratulated the new doctors and dentists, and reminded them of the need to abide by the rules and regulations of the profession.
She warned that professional misconduct will not be tolerated. “As we induct you, we also provide you with Provisional Registration Certificate with which you can apply for housemanship. We have 188 accredited hospitals across the country for housemanship, and there is a designated portal for the housemanship. Once you have the certificate, you go to the portal and register. If you are desirous of practicing in one of those 47 hospitals, you select the hospital that is available for you. If you are desirable to do your housemanship in any of the state hospitals or private institutions or military hospitals that are designated for housemanship, you approach them directly for that.
“I also want to let you know that MDCN does not have any social media or WhatsApp group for housemanship allocation. The only place we have is the portal. Any payment you need to make for your registration is through the portal. You are not expected to pay for housemanship. It is an offence. You will be brought to book if we find out.
“Parents, please, allow your children to do housemanship. This one year is a very important foundational aspect of their training. They are now house doctors, and are going to be the first line, but under the supervision of the Consultant and they learn a lot.
“After housemanship, we will give you a Certificate of Experience from the hospital. And that is what we will use to give you a full registration as doctors with full registration which is your professional certification. And with a full registration, you become an entity of your own. Without full registration, you cannot be enrolled in the NYSC programme.
“At the cause of your training and career, you might want to do additional qualifications, your specialty training. After that, you come and register your additional qualifications so that you will be recognized on the register as a specialist.
“There’s also a pack of Code of Medical Ethics in Nigeria. The profession is something that is watched worldwide. I know whenever we do an induction, there are institutions outside, the country that are ready to grab you. Yes, Nigerian doctors are sought all over the world. Because our doctors are well trained. Our doctors have resilience, and our doctors can fit into any situation they find themselves. It’s an accolade. But we also want to keep our doctors home.
So, if you run into problems and you are reported for a professional breach, or even character breach, the doctor is duly investigated. We have the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigating Panel, where the doctor will be brought to. And if the doctor is found wanting, the case is transferred to the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal that has the same status as a Federal High Court. If the doctor is found in guilty, several streams of sanctions could be instituted. From warning, to suspension, to even total erasure and retrieval of their practicing certificates.
“So, doctors, the study and practice of medicine is very difficult. And it is a whole lot of responsibility. But I also want to tell you that it is doable, and it is enjoyable. The bottom line is not just the money, it’s not just what you have, but the respect that you have within the communities, and your contribution to the community. But you must always get out of your comfort zone to assist individuals during their most vulnerable times. No matter who they are, when they come to you, they are at their most vulnerable time, and they expect you to treat them with dignity and with knowledge.
“I told you about the disciplinary tribunal, it’s very harsh. We would not want you to get there. If you do your job well, we will stand up for you, and we will protect you.”
The President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Bala Audu, in his remarks, congratulated the new doctors and informed them that the burden of responsibility that borders on the life and well-being of fellow human beings is on their shoulders.
He said: “just to remind you, every aspect of your humanity will come to bear on your day-to-day responsibilities in all roles you play in your lives. Not just in patient care, but in everything you do, because you will be seen by society, you’ll be respected by society, and society will expect that at all times, in all places, you will behave to a standard that is expected of you as a doctor.
“I am sure you know right from your undergraduate training that the practice of medicine is regulated by high ethical standards, and this has been emphasized over again. These standards bother on everything that you do, both in patient care as well as in your personal lifestyle choices. There are great expectations from you, both within and outside of the profession, by society, both locally as well as internationally.
“It’s also important to remember that the practice of medicine is both an interprofessional and a multidisciplinary call to duty that at all times expects you to be a leader in some circumstances, as well as a trainee at other times. Therefore, there will be great expectations from you to be a team player at all times.
“The most important thing as you play these combined leadership roles, as well as a trainee role, is to understand your limitations, and whenever you see your limitations, please always seek immediate and appropriate assistance from your relevant team members.
“Remember also that much has been given to you by society, by your trainers, by your peers, and indeed you have committed so much of your life to reach this milestone, and therefore in the same vein, a lot more is expected from you. So, once more, congratulations and welcome to the profession of medicine.”
