College of Health Sciences to admit more students

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo, on Wednesday said that the 20 years’ siege that hindered the institution’s college of health sciences from admitting more students has been removed.

Ndaeyo, who explained that the ‘siege’ allowed for the admission of only 50 students into the college, stated that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has granted the college five years full accreditation status and increased the admission quota to 120 students.

Speaking during the 18th Physician’s Oath-taking ceremony (sponsio-academica) for 35 medical graduates of the College of Health Sciences, the VC charged the graduands to uphold the ethics of the profession.

He added that the university has worked hard to provide infrastructure and staff for the college despite lean resources and pledged that the management of the institution will do more with the increased capacity of the college and the introduction of new programmes.

“The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) was in our university a few months ago to assess the facilities of the College of Health Sciences and re-accredit same for the training of medical doctors.

“We are glad to inform you that the visit to the College yielded bountiful fruits. One of which is that the College of Health Sciences has not only been granted 5 years full accreditation status but also a very significant increase in admission quota and the breaking the 20 years ‘siege’ of admitting only 50.

“To our dear graduands, you have crossed that hurdle. I urge you to take every part of the Oath you swear today seriously, commit them to heart and make same your regulatory principles throughout your years of practice.

“The ethics of any profession is regarded as the soul or engine room of that profession and you being our very best, we cannot but expect the best from you in upholding the ethics of the medical profession,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof Etete Peters congratulated the graduands on the successful completion of their undergraduate medical programme and on meeting the requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s (MDCN) for registration.

He commended the VC and the management team for their efforts in sustaining and repositioning the college from its dilapidated state into a rebranded status.

“My dear graduands as you take the Oath today, be very sincere about it for life will be entrusted into your care, do not fail to seek for help where necessary; therefore, I admonish you not to assume or act as God.

“Provide necessary leadership to ensure effective and result oriented medical care to your patients wherever you may find yourself either in private or public sector,” he said.