The induction ceremony of foreign trained Medical and Dental graduates was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at the auditorium of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria House, Kaura District in Abuja, was well attended by dignitaries from different walks of life.
The students who graduated from different medical institutions around the world, were absorbed into the Nigerian medical sector after successfully scaling through the MDCN examination held.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Prof. Aboba Waziri Hassan, who represented the Minister of Health at the occasion, pointed out that due to inadequacy of medical and dental schools, some Nigerians had to train abroad.
Hassan disclosed that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria MDCN is an agency of the government set up for the regulations of medical dental and alternative medicine in Nigeria. According to him, it was established originally by an Act of Parliament, 1963 now codified as Cap M8, Law of the Federal of Nigeria 2004.
Speaking further, he advised the graduates to be humble and work cooperatively with their colleagues.
He also informed them that the council has three specialist hospitals for housemanship for the graduates, advising hospitals not to discriminate against any foreign trained student.
He noted that 27.5% of those who sat for the examination passed the MDCN exam which he said was poorer than those of South Africa, Ghana and a few other African countries.
In his speech, the representative of the minister of health who congratulated the graduates, urged them to always abide by the Hippocratic Oath of Physicians they took and cultivate patience which the medical profession requires as they are likely to meet all manner of people as they practice.
On his own part, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, who administered the Hippocratic Oath for physicians told the students/graduates that there is no going back on the housemanship service but that anyone who pulls out of it regrets it and probably would not be inclined to repeat it.
Speaking with journalists, one of the foreign trained students Chidera Elizabeth Anih, said she studied in war-torn Ukraine.
Anih recalled pleasant memories she had in Ukraine which, she said, she experienced before the war.
“Its very sad Ukraine can never be the same again. Ukrainians are warm, nice and very friendly people. They’re not racist as some people said and they are a lovely people. Some of us are lucky enough to have completed our studies just before the war began.”
On her induction, Anih stated that she is very happy to have been inducted and licenced in her father’s land.
She also expressed gratitude to God and her parents for ensuring that her dreams of becoming a medical practitioner is a reality, despite the stress of studying in a foreign land that is a million miles away from home.
“It wasn’t an easy task studying in a country very far from home with language barrier at the early stage of my program there, it wasn’t easy but today I thank God that it all ended in praise. I want to really appreciate my beloved parents, Mr. and Mrs Ikechukwu Emmanuel Anih, for their unending support and prayers in making sure that I live the life of my dream of becoming a doctor and other members of the family for their words of encouragement”. she said.
However, father of the celebrant Hon, Ikechukwu Emmanuel Anih, who appreciated the NUJ and other guest for honoring his invitation, said he gave gratitude to God for seeing his daughter through and that his daughter had already finished her study before the commencement of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
In his words: “I want to thank God for all he has done for me and my family and i want also thank you all for making out time to come and share in my joy. Chidera is a wonderful child, that is so dear to me and am so grateful to God, that she finished her study and came back to Nigeria December before war that broke Europe between Ukraine and Russia in Fabuary. Out of the 640 that sat for the MDCN exam, Chidera was among the 27.5% that passed and this happened by the grace of God. and I want to also thank the NUJ Abuja chapter for their support and I want to say that am now part of the NUJ family”.
Anih celebrated the occasion at the NUJ Hall, and the event was chaired by Joel Ukama. It was also graced by the Chairman of NUJ Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, the Vice Chairman of Council, Mr. Osadebamwen Patrick, Secretary of Council, Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu and the Chairperson of NAWUJ Anna Daniel.