With a warning that violations could lead to the revocation of membership or practising licences, 35 fourth-batch medical doctors and 16 pioneer medical laboratory science graduates of Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), Abia State, have been inducted into provisional membership of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), respectively.

Upon graduation, the induction qualifies them to commence professional practice, beginning with the mandatory one-year internship/housemanship at approved institutions across the country.

Of the 35 medical doctors inducted, 17 are female and 18 male, while among the 16 medical laboratory scientists, five are female and eleven male.

The induction and oath-taking ceremonies were held on Friday in two separate auditoria within the university. They were conducted by the Registrars of the MDCN, Professor Fatima Kyari, and MLSCN, Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, who were represented by Dr Tijjani Mandaka and Dr Uchino Gregory Ashimedua, respectively. The representatives administered the professional oaths and asked the inductees to adhere to ethical and professional standards; failure to do so would result in sanctions.

It was disclosed that about 150 medical institutions across the country have been approved for the mandatory internship/housemanship training.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Founder and Proprietor of GUU, Professor Gregory Iyke Ibe, said he established the university in 2012 with a vision of massive human empowerment, particularly in the medical field. He expressed satisfaction at seeing the vision unfold with the induction of another batch of medical doctors.

He urged the inductees to uphold the highest standards of practice, prioritise patient care, and contribute positively to the healthcare sector, stressing that medicine is a noble profession that demands compassion, empathy, and dedication.

Similarly, the Chancellor, Mr Ikechukwu Gregory Ibe Jr., tasked the graduates to be compassionate healers, ethical professionals, and courageous leaders as they embark on their careers.

The Pro-Chancellor, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, also charged the inductees to uphold the core values instilled in them by the university, as they transition from learning to professional practice. He encouraged them to be healers, comforters, and innovators.

In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Celestina Njoku, advised the graduates not to be overconfident or rely solely on textbook knowledge, while emphasising the importance of accurate laboratory investigation and reporting.

“Without medical laboratory scientists and accurate laboratory results, doctors would merely be guessing what to treat,” she said.

The Provost, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Professor Shedrack Offia; Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Felix Erondu; and Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Emmanuel Okeh, all affirmed that the graduates were well trained in line with global standards and urged them to uphold professionalism in their practice anywhere in the world.