Faculty of Medicine Graduates 96 New Doctors

Brenda Yufeh

3 August 2011

During the graduation ceremony on wednesday, some 33 specialised doctors and three Masters students were also awarded certificates by the Minister of Higher Education.

Some 96 new medical doctors from the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, on wednesday August 3, took the Hippocratic Oath to practice medicine ethically and, by respecting the health of patients and taking the health of a patient as their priority. This was during a colourful graduation ceremony of the 36th batch of medical doctors, 20th batch of specialist doctors and third batch of Master’s students in Biomedical Sciences and Health Technology. In the presence of several medical dons, members of government, members of the diplomatic corps and parents, the Minister of Higher Education, Chancellor of Academic Orders, Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo, told the new doctors to be professional, honest and patriotic in executing their duty which he stressed is not limited only to big cities in the country, but to all the nooks and crannies of Cameroon.

During the ceremony which was divided into three parts: the award of prizes and certificates, Hippocratic Oath swearing and speeches, the speakers who took to the rostrum did not only congratulate the new doctors, but also reminded them of the path ahead which is the beginning of their career. The Minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda just like that of Higher Education, urged the new doctors to effectively apply the medical techniques they have learned in school, avoid nepotism, laxity and be rigorous in applying the ethics of the profession to the benefit of patients.

Professor Jacques Fame Ndongo also stressed on the need for the new doctors to be patriotic for the entire nation needs their services, especially in the most remote areas in the country. According to the Minister of Higher Education, the doctors should not consider the fatherland to be just their families, relations or friends, but the land of Cameroon from the East to West or North to South. Under the supervision of the Secretary General of the Cameroon Medical Council, Dr Bidjogo Atanagana, the batch, which has been christened “Anomah Ngu batch” in honour of the eminent Professor Anomah Ngu who passed away last month, swore to honour their teachers, promise not to harm anyone and to prescribe drugs to the best of their ability and to never give medications that could be used to poison someone. In the presence of late Professor Anomah Ngu’s son and the first director of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Gottlieb Lobe Monekosso, the flag of the “Anomah Ngu batch” was handed to the best graduating student, Miss Yvone Ateh Joko Walburga to lead her mates in the triumphant march into the field of medical practice.

Miss Yvone Ateh Joko Walburga received the best graduating student prize by the President of the Republic as well as the best female graduating student prize by the First Lady of Cameroon. During the ceremony, Professor Gottlieb Lobe Monekosso was symbolically conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Medicine Honoris Causa by the Walter Sisulu University in South Africa. The South African High Commissioner to Cameroon handed over the award to Cameroon’s Minister of Higher Education who later handed it to Professor Monekosso in recognition of his scholarly works that have earned him the title, “Father of Medicine in Africa”. The Walter Sisulu University in South Africa honoured Professor Monekosso at a graduation of the university on May 10 this year.

AllAfrica – All the Time