Prof. Florence Obi, the Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar (UniCal), has urged newly-inducted medical doctors of the institution to prioritise patients’ health in order have a successful career.

Obi made the call at the institution’s 54th Physicians Oath-Taking Ceremony in Calabar on Tuesday.

The vice chancellor told the inductees to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution by strictly adhering to the ethics of the medical profession.

“I also urged you to exhibit high sense of ethics and professionalism, always place the well-being of your patients first.

“The University of Calabar is known to have produced some of the best medical doctors all over the world, they are making us proud everywhere they are.

“Go out there and be our great ambassadors in both character and learning, this is the hallmark of your degree, we know that you won’t disappoint us, go and shine the light of this institution,” she said.

Obi commended the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) for its support towards the continuous training and retraining of doctors.

She thanked the Federal Government for its support, saying that the university’s quota for admission during her tenure had been increased twice, from 100 to 150, and doubled to 300 in 2023.

In his remarks, Prof. Ngim Ngim, the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, urged the inductees to effectively utilise the skills acquired in the course of their training in the university.

“The oath-taking you have done today is the beginning of your journey into the real world.

“The medical profession is a noble one, always  remember your alma mater, treat your patients with love and patience, patients are the centre of attention in this profession,” Ngim said.

Also speaking, the Registrar, MDCN, Dr Fatima Kyari, said that new inductees had become international citizens, adding, ‘your new status sometimes come with grave responsibilities guided by law’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prizes were given to deserving graduands during the ceremony.(NAN)