The School of Medical Sciences of the University of Cape Coast has held its 14th White Coat Ceremony for 141 medical students to usher them from preclinical to clinical stage of their training.
The number includes 85 regular students and 56 graduate students entering the medical profession.
The clinical stage of the student’s training affords students the opportunity to begin meeting patients early in their education.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and an Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics at the University of Ghana, Professor Kobina Nkyekyer urged the students to exhibit professionalism as they are ushered into the clinical stage of their medical studies.
Professor Kobina Nkyekyer said the public has tremendous trust in doctors and it is part of their responsibility to sustain that trust while upholding the principle of integrity, honesty and confidentiality that governs the medical profession.
Prof. Nkyekyer reiterated the need for students to demonstrate utmost confidentiality as they will be exposed to patient information adding that they must show compassion to their patients,
“Let me emphasize here that you must beware of taking pictures and posting them on social media. You have no right to take pictures of your patients; let alone post them on social media.
Your experiences as you come frequently across human suffering and death may produce some callousness in you, but please do not lose your humanness. Don’t let your experience of the frailty of the human body ravaged by disease lead you to lose respect for the dignity of the human organism. There is a need for altruism, unselfish regard for, and devotion to the welfare of others,” he continued.
Prof. Nkyekyer also emphasized the need for them to discharge their responsibility to the school diligently, themselves, their parents and their patients as they step into the clinical face of their studies.
Stating further he said, “Of course, your teachers are determined to play their part to ensure that you are refined with relevant clinical skills upon which you will build a successful medical practice”
To this end, he called on them to cultivate a determined effort to exceed ordinary expectations and to make a commitment to lifelong learning to continue to stay relevant to the medical profession.
He also asked them to embrace teamwork and respect for the members of the healthcare team.
To him, there must be the pursuit of and commitment to providing the highest quality of care through lifelong learning, education, and reflection.
The Dean, School of Medical Sciences, UCC, Prof. Sebastian Eliason congratulated the 141 students and assured them of the school’s support to realise their careers.
He revealed that the 2022 -2023 academic year marked the 16th anniversary of the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences and heralded the passing out of 101 medical doctors.
This, he said brings to a total of 677 doctors graduated by UCC medical school since its inception in the academic year 2007,2008.
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Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
