* 2016 Medical graduands of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin.

From Steve Oni, Ilorin

 The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has inducted 53 medical graduands of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin. It also threatened to deregister any erring medical practitioner who engaged in any unethical and unprofessional conduct.

 The Registrar of the Council, Dr. Abdulmumini  Ibrahim, handed down the warning in his address at the 33rd professional initiation and admission ceremony of the 53 medical graduands of the University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences held at the institution on Tuesday.

 Represented by Dr. Zinat Saadu, the Registrar said the Council had observed with dismay that some medical practitioners now register clinics for non practitioners where they engage in unethical practices thereby putting the lives of unsuspecting people in jeopardy.

 Though the MDCN as a body was meant to regulate practices and discipline erring medical professionals, the Registrar said it was, however, "painful when we have to discipline our colleagues because in the first place you are expected not to be found wanting."

 He said: "Sadly, we also have had cases of maltreatment, and of recent, we had to shut some hospitals. Some of you register non practitioners knowing full well that if you have not spent up to 10 years, you cannot register a clinic.

 "It's sad, when we are entrusted with life which is irreplaceable and we are found wanting. Gone are the days when we were left to be judged by our conscience; today there are bodies that will sanction you, even going as far as Judiciary, you may be sanctioned and even your name may be erased from the register.

 "There are so many of you who will register a non- practitioner, if you are less than 10 years in training, you are not competent to register a clinic, not to talk of opening a clinic for a non medical practitioner which is grossly unethical and condemnable because of the sanctity of human life.

 "We do not have enough medical doctors in the country that will go round the population but with the few ones we have, we want you to have the fear of God, conscience and dignity. Whatever you do, you have to account for it sooner or later."

 Why admonishing the newly inductees to find specialisations in different fields to enable them compete with their counterparts across the globe as well as  contribute to provision of quality health care delivery in the country, Dr. Ibrahim stressed the need for the new inductees to hold on to the tenets of their profession by treating their patients "with passion, compassion,fairness, justice and with humility", adding: "You will account for your deeds sooner of latter".

 The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, in his address, said the newly inducted medical graduates were special breeds, while reiterating the University's commitment to seeing that the College of the Health Sciences continues to excel and ranks among the best of colleges of medicine in the world.

 Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor,Research,Technology and Innovation, Professor Gabriel Adetunji, the Vice Chancellor said: "The University will continue to provide quality medical education in order to see that the College of Medicine ranks among the best in the world."

 The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Professor Wahab Johnson, said, with the 53 new medical inductees, the University had so far graduated 4,313 doctors since the inaugural event of the first class in 1983.

 He said: "By way of statistical facts and figures, this is the 33rd induction ceremony, at which a total of the 70 candidates (including two repeaters) who sat for the required part 111 MB;BS (exit) examination in Community Health Medicine and Surgery, scaled the final huddles translate to a commendable percentage pass of 75.7% and a corresponding failure of only 24.3% in one or more subjects by our trainees that have made it this final examination."