The 14th batch of medical students at the University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences (UCCSMS), who have completed the pre-clinical phase of their training, have begun the clinical stage.

The 141 students, decorated with white coats and stethoscopes, swore an oath to provide the highest standard of ethical care for their patients as they undergo another three-year practical training in the hospital wards under the supervision of medical consultants and other healthcare professionals.

The Deputy Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council, Dr. Pascal Kobiah, administered the SMS Oath to the students.

 In his remarks, the Guest Speaker, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof. Kobinah Nkyekye, congratulated the students on the completion of their three-year basic science of medicine and advised them to show respect and compassion towards their patients.

 He cautioned the students to be careful not to breach the confidentiality of their patients on social media and implored them not to erode the trust of the public in medical doctors in the discharge of their professional duties.

A section of the medical students taking the SMS oath

He further asked the students to be guided by the tenets of the medical profession and reflect its core values. He also encouraged the students to, among other virtues, remain loyal to the medical profession, show respect for patients’ well-being and humanity, as well as cooperate with each other.

Prof. Nkyekyer advised them to show commitment and dedication during their clinical training and adopt a life-learning attitude to put to good use the knowledge acquired in the classrooms. 

He further urged the students to justify the investments being made in them by their parents, whilst commending parents and guardians of the students for their unflinching support to invest in the education of their children and wards.

Prof. Nkyekyer told the students to guard jealously the enviable reputation of the University of Cape Coast.

He said challenges abound in the profession so the students should seek help from professionals when faced with daunting challenges in the execution of their medical responsibilities.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof Kobinah Nkyekyer

The Dean of the UCCSMS, Prof. Sebastian Eliason, advised the students "anytime you don the white coat remember you are under an oath".

In a message read for him by the Provost of the College of Education Studies, Prof Ernest Kofi Davis, the Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, urged the students to exhibit utmost professionalism, discipline, and confidentiality in the medical profession.

He applauded the students for their hard work over the years and urged them to carry the good image of UCCSMS everywhere they found themselves.

Prof Boampong told the students to accept constructive criticisms in good faith in the discharge of their professional duties. He assured SMS that the management of the University would continue to support SMS to deliver on its mandate to produce fully-fledged medical doctors for the country.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC