Fifty-four (54) newly qualified medical doctors trained by the University of Cape-Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS) have been inducted into the medical profession by the Ghana Medical and Dental Council (GMDC), the professional body which regulates medical practice in Ghana. The 54 doctors are made up of 31 males and 23 females, making 243 the total number of doctors who have graduated from the UCCSMS since 2013. The graduation also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the SMS, which was established in 2008. Leading the students to take the Hippocratic Oath (Physician’s Oath), the Registrar of GMDC, Dr. Elvis Atikpui admonished the young doctors to practice in accordance with the code of ethics and the rules and regulations guiding the profession. The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was the Special Guest of honour at the first session of the 50th Congregation and 5th Oath Swearing and Induction Ceremony commended the graduands for their hard work. He advised the young doctors to see their patients as “mine of information” and not to overly depend on technology in the discharge of their medical duties. " Technology seems to make the work of the modern doctor easier, as you have access to MRI, scans and other tests which earlier doctors could only dream", he said, and cautioned them " not to forget that the patient is a human being and remains the best source of information." He urged them to be renaissance practitioners who would bring their knowledge to bear on public issues to advance the vision of the country. President Akufo-Addo enjoined the new doctors to respect all manner of workers in the health care chain, regardless of their status at the health facilities. While calling for the graduands to be guarded by the Hippocratic Oath, he also urged them not to lose hope in God in their medical practice. He urged them to accept postings to rural areas where their services were mostly needed. The Chancellor, Sir Sam Jonah, advised them to be content with the challenges faced by the health sector, including inadequate healthcare budget. He, however, asked the young doctors to surmount the challenges through innovation and to think outside the box for solutions. He charged them to pursue excellence and exercise unquenchable quest for knowledge about their noble profession. Sir. Jonah entreated the young doctors to keep the UCC flag high through their unblemished professional conduct and their impeccable integrity. I pray that you will be guided by the values of UCC which is our motto, Veritas Nobis Lumen (Truth our Guide),” he implored. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, advised the young doctors to go to the world and touch lives, adding that in the face of challenges, the graduands should “remember the training you have gone through and the things you have learnt and make a difference”. He implored the doctors to have passion for their work and keep researching and updating their professional knowledge. He congratulated the graduands and thanked their parents and guardians who facilitated the studies of the young medical doctors up to the current height they have attained. The valedictorian, Dr. Marcia Afriyie Agyemang, on behalf of the graduating class, promised to work remarkably to improve health service delivery wherever they found themselves. Dr. Peter Laser Apokyi was adjudged the Vice-Chancellor's Prize for Best Overall Performance, sweeping 8 of the 25 awards at stake.
