Opinion
Don’t ‘japa’ LUTH CMD tells UNILORIN’s medical graduands
The Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, has advised new medical doctors produced by the University of Ilorin to remain and practise in Nigeria in order to contribute their quotas towards the peace and progress of the country.
Prof. Adeyemo stated this at the induction ceremony of 144 medical graduands of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, held at the University’s Main Auditorium, ROYAL NEWS reports.
While bemoaning low remuneration and general poor working conditions medical doctors are subjected to in Nigeria, the renowned medical scholar said that it was important for such young professionals to stay behind in order to contribute their quotas to national development as many of their illustrious and patriotic senior colleagues.
Speaking on the topic, “Brain Drain in Health Sector: The Grass is Greener Here Too”, Prof. Adeyemo, congratulated the inductees, saying, “Your future is the very bright sun’s going to shine on everything you do”.
“While hoping that all will be well soon in addressing these factors, particularly remuneration, infrastructures, and adequate funding, it is important that we, elders in the profession, engage these younger ones about the many opportunities here such as, clinical practice, public and private, academic, and research, among a very long list of opportunities”, he said.
According to him, it is not the solution to have five-year bill for practice that will mitigate the effect of the brain drain but addressing and understanding why Nigerians always take delight in relocating to other countries.
He urged elders in the profession to create and allow free flow of mentoring between them and the young graduates as it is found in the law profession, saying that young graduates should be discouraged from taking decisions that will hurt them.
He added that young medical doctors need mentors amongst the elders to redirect their thoughts as he advised the graduands to emulate and be encouraged by the styles and accomplishments of their senior colleagues who remained at home in order to produce them.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, congratulated the graduands and their parents on the successful completion of their training.
Prof. Egbewole noted that “This is just the beginning because you will go into the field to demonstrate the capacity that you have. You will show the world the compassion you have in you and that has been put in your head. You will go to the world to show that you care for patients. You will to the world to show that you are connected’’.
“Therefore, at the beginning, I am calling your attention to the 5C and E. That is you must be compassionate, competent, capacity, capability, and demonstrate that you care for your patient and our society, and the E which is the key, is that you must be ethically driven in the course of your duties to show that you are better by far”, the Vice Chancellor explained.
Prof. Egbewole added “Today we are celebrating with your parents who have paid the dues to make sure you are here today. Remember that although it was not easy but they did it for you. To show appreciation also do it to the Nigerian society that has produced you. Remember that the lexicon today has moved from ‘Japa’ to ‘Japada’. Therefore use the latest lexicon to stay here and make use of the best opportunity you have here”.
Earlier in his address, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Prof. B. S. Alabi, who felicitated with the graduands, expressed his gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and his management team for their support towards the College.
The Provost urged the inductees to be role models in the society. He urged them to be careful in their practice and handle their patients gently and be all ears for them like God does to us.
He urged the new medical doctors to give their patients the facts on the ground, saying that useful and factual information must be divulged with sympathy, empathy, and positive openness.
Alabi also appealed to them to always be optimistic and care for their patients with the level of resources available and must be thoroughbred professionals who know how, when and who to do it and when to stop.
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