New doctors advised to uphold Hippocratic oath
The Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science of Technology (KNUST), Professor William Otoo-Ellis, has cautioned newly qualified doctors to live by the tenets of the ‘Hippocratic oath’ because any action or inaction on their part could lead to permanent or irreversible consequences on human life.
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Prof. Otoo-Ellis asked the new doctors to appreciate the importance of the oath and what society expected of them as medical officers.
The Vice Chancellor gave the caution at the 22nd KNUST School of Medical Sciences and Fourth Dental School oath-swearing and induction ceremony held at Kumasi last Saturday.
Ceremony
One hundred and sixty-eight medical doctors, including 98 males and 16 dentists, swore the oath in the presence of the President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Opoku-Adusei.
The ceremony also marked the 40th anniversary celebration of the medical school, which has so far trained 2,280 doctors.The dental school, which was set up four years ago, has also produced 42 dentists.
Prof. Otoo-Ellis urged the young doctors to be guided by the principles of their noble profession as they contribute their quota to the accelerated development of the country.
Facilities
The vice chancellor bemoaned the inability of the university to admit all qualified applicants because of its inadequate facilities. He therefore called for collaboration with all stakeholders to enable the university to complete the first phase of its teaching hospital.
According to Prof. Otoo-Ellis, when completed, the teaching hospital will not only help increase the intake of medical students, but will also complement work at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Awards
Twenty-four-year-old Dr Charles Djugbah made history as the recipient of the highest number of awards since the medical school’s establishment. He received eight out of the 15 awards, including those instituted by Prof. G.W. Brobby and the Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor at the induction ceremony.
Dr Djugbah, who is an old student of St. Peter’s SHS, has realised his childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor. His parents and all the guests gave him a standing ovation.
He told the Daily Graphic that he felt fulfilled after realising his dream of excelling in his training as a medical doctor. He also said he was now prepared to begin his two-year housemanship at the Komfo Anokye Hospital.
In the dental division, Collins Donyinah Baffoe received four of the six awards, while Addo Ofori picked two of the three subject awards.