Second batch of UHAS medical students ushered into clinical training
A white Coat ceremony has been performed for the second batch of medical students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region to usher them into the next phase of their medical training at the School of Medicine.
The ceremony, which took place at the UHAS main campus at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho, saw the 55 students wearing white coats with stethoscopes and going through the ceremony to signify the commencement of their clinical training after a successful three-year theoretical training in basic medical sciences.
As part of the ceremony, the students also swore an oath to provide the highest standard of ethical care for their patients as they undergo another three-year practical training in the hospital wards under the supervision of medical consultants and other healthcare professionals.
Adherence
The Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr Eli Atikpui, who administered the oath to the students, urged them to be mindful of the ethics of the medical profession and always adhere to the rules and regulations of the noble profession as they pursued their training.
According to him, “we have got to a stage where some medical practitioners do not respect the noble profession,” He, therefore, entreated the students to choose good mentors who would guide and teach them in the course of their clinical training.
The Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Timothy Letsa, who delivered the keynote address, entreated the medical students to avoid medical negligence and unprofessional conduct and focus on providing quality care for patients regardless of their social status.
Quality care, he noted, was critical in the service delivery and must be held in high esteem. He stressed that, “in your practice you must aim at improving health outcomes, minimising complications and disabilities and above all, saving lives.”
Dr Letsa further encouraged the students to, among other virtues, remain loyal to the medical profession, show respect for patients’ well-being and humanity, as well as cooperate with one another.
Best training
For his part, the Dean of UHAS School of Medicine, Professor Henry Tagbor, said the students had been given the best of pre-clinical training to prepare them adequately for the next phase of their medical education.
He, therefore, advised them to show commitment and dedication during their clinical training and put to good use the knowledge acquired in the classrooms and laboratories.
The UHAS Vice Chancellor, Professor John Gyapong said he was hopeful that the government would soon constitute a governing board for the Volta Regional Hospital in conformity with Cabinet’s approval for the conversion of the hospital into a teaching hospital to facilitate the training of UHAS medical students.
He also commended parents and guardians of the students for their unflinching support and encouraged them to continue investing in the education of their children and wards for best results.