The swearing-in of the doctors
A colourful ceremony was over the weekend held to induct into the medical profession 56 new doctors comprising 32 females and 24 males after the completion of their studies at the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC).
They were awarded Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degrees after pursuing a six-year programme at the university.
Vice Chancellor of UCC, Professor D.D. Kuupole, in a speech at the 49th congregation and 4rdoath swearing/induction ceremony, hinted that the Department of Haematology had begun the process of establishing a bone marrow morphology laboratory at the Medical School Diagnostic Centre to support the teaching, research and service at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital.
Professor Kuupole added that the Department of Microbiology had started its postgraduate programme, Master of Philosophy in Infection and Immunology this August 2016.
He disclosed that a number of facilities such as an administration block, a classroom block, students’ study structures, a library and a laboratory were underway at the school and hoped the classroom and administration blocks would be completed by the end of September this year to enable them to admit more students.
“The UCC School of Medical Sciences has been listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and has, therefore, been recently approved for addition to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Sponsorship Note from the World Medical Directory listing,” he added.
The vice chancellor reiterated that the school was determined and committed in fulfilling its vision of becoming a leading school of medicine and a centre of excellence in community–oriented medical education even though they have been confronted with lot of challenges.
Prof D.D Kuupole called for the need for the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital which has been approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to be upgraded to a teaching hospital to enable it to take in additional students to train as doctors.
He charged the new doctors to humble themselves and respect their patients as well as have a caring attitude and listen to them before they give any prescription.
The vice chancellor further cautioned them not to allow the love for money influence them in the discharge of their duties.
The School of Medical Sciences of UCC which was started by former President John Agyekum Kufour had its official academic work in 2008, with emphasis on community-based experience and services (COBES) to make students appreciate health and other problems pertaining to the local communities.
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, said the school was established to produce competent and innovative medical professionals to manage the health issues of the country.
Prof Opoku-Agyemang added that the doctors would make huge differences in the health sector even though the sector is confronted with a number of challenges despite government’s commitment in doing everything possible to resolve the challenges.
She indicated that the School of Medical Sciences of UCC was operating in full paying system and, therefore, appealed to the university to look into it to enable poor people to undertake the course.
Chairman of the UCC Governing Council, Nana Sam Brew Butler, disclosed that the university was pleased to be contributing to the dire national need to address the problem of the shortfall of health professionals in the country and, therefore, urged the new doctors to work hard to uplift the image of the profession.
From Sarah Afful, Cape Coast