Shun professional misconduct, Medical Council urges inductees

Ubong Inyang

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) has urged newly inducted graduands of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar (UNICAL), to shun all forms of unethical and professional misconduct in order not to bring the name of the medical profession and their alma mater to disrepute.

The Registrar/ Chief Executive Officer of MLSCN, Mr. Erhabor Tosan who made the call at UNICAL hotel during the 15th induction/oath taking ceremony of Medical Laboratory Science graduands of the institution charged them to adhere strictly to the tenets of their profession.

Mr. Tosan who congratulated the inductees urged them to always imbibe the ideals of hard work, tenacity of purpose and diligence, which according to him, would surely take them to the peak of their careers.

The MLSCN Registrar who described the induction as the most sacred ritual in the Medical Laboratory Science Profession stressed that the exercise represents a significant milestone in the graduands growth and development as they are moving into the next phase of their life.

He said, ‘’unlike what was obtainable in your undergraduate days, the next phase would see you being held accountable for the decisions you make with respect to lives entrusted in your care. If your achievements in this institution are anything to go by, we are confident that you will make the council proud.’’

This came as he warned the inductees not to commence National Youth Service without first completing their internship, saying that the long arm of the law will not spare anyone found wanting in this regard.

Mr. Tosan said council is aware of the hardship faced by some of the younger generation of laboratory scientists in trying to secure a place for internship and assured that council would continue to work towards ameliorating their plights.

He added that council had recently accredited 18 more laboratories in the private sector as well as military formations for the training of interns.

The MLSCN Registrar also commended the Vice Chancellor of institution for giving priority attention to the medical profession even as he urged him to continue with his developmental strides in the institution.

Also speaking, the Dean of faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Prof. Maisie Etukudo appreciated the Vice Chancellor for providing a conducive learning atmosphere, which she said, enabled the graduands to excel in their profession.

In his remarks, the Provost of College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Maurice Asuquo commended the Vice Chancellor for his pragmatic leadership, adding that under his watch all programmes in the college of medical sciences have gained full accreditation.

Prof. Asuquo who also congratulated the inductees urged them to always respect and uphold the ethics of their profession, which he said, would make them stand out among their contemporaries.

The Chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Zana Akpagu, in his welcome address, congratulated the inductees for their courage, determination and hard work even as he charged them to see their induction as a call to service.

Prof. Akpagu who described the medical laboratory profession as a ‘noble profession of the 21st century’ said they are very important, indispensable and sellable in the health sector.

He said, ‘’ you are very marketable everywhere in the world and the time has come for you to go to the larger society and showcase your God given potentials’’

The Vice Chancellor, however, urged them to always be good ambassadors of UNICAL, adding that they should desist from engaging in unethical practices capable of dragging the name of the medical council and the institution into the mud.

Prof. Josephine Akpotuzor who delivered the induction lecture on the topic: ‘Contemporary ethical issues in Medical laboratory Science and education practice in Nigeria’, said the medical laboratory science profession is witnessing positive changes due to recent dynamic innovations in science and technology in the health sector.

She said medical laboratory scientists are accountable for the quality and integrity of the laboratory services they provide, stressing that they should exhibit a courteous and respectful attitude towards patients, doctors and all other hospital staff.

The induction lecturer urged the graduands to strive hard at all times to apply ethical practice in the course of their work to enhance the image of their profession and bring relief to patients.
Highpoint of the occasion was the oath taking and award of certificates to 45 newly inducted medical laboratory scientists.

Awards were also given to best graduating students and a memento also presented to the induction lecturer.