Governor calls for support to curb activities of quack medical personnel

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday urged doctors to support the government in curbing the activities of quack medical personnel to save lives and revive the healthcare system.

Ambode made the plea at the Induction Ceremony for the 11th Set of Medical Doctors and the Unveiling of the Roll of Honour, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) in Lagos.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, said the quacks had done more than enough damage to the people and the nation’s healthcare system.

“Our administration places high premium on healthcare and wellness of our people and this is reflective in our decision to develop a Medical Park of global standard and fight quackery.

“We cannot achieve this without the support of our medical personnel, ‘’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes him as saying.

Ambode advised the new doctors to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Hippocratic Oath and use the knowledge and skills acquired to save lives and offer succour to the distressed.

Also speaking, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, former Military Administrator of Lagos State, said he approved the establishment of the college to help address the problem of shortage of indigenous doctors.

“I am happy that the vision behind the establishment of the college is being kept alive, ‘’ he said.

Prof. Babatunde Salako, Medical Elder for the Induction ceremony, delivered the keynote address entitled: Making a Comfortable Living while Helping Humanity in the Face of Merger Economy

Salako advised the new doctors to ensure proper planning and skills.

“As you join the rest of us in the medical field, I urge you to uphold the ethics of the profession, concern for health and safety, maintain humility, correct attitude and be good time managers.

“By doing these, you are sacrificing and contributing to the Nigerian project, ‘’ he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, said pledged that the college would continue to promote excellence and justify the confidence reposed on the management of the institution.

‘“We are inducting well rounded graduates today and this is a demonstration of the clear vision mingled with action to catalyse and shape the world.

“I urge the new doctors to be committed, make the difference and mark in their chosen careers, ‘’ he said.

The Provost, LASUCOM, Prof. Babatunde Solagberu, urged the state government to massively fund and equip the college to handle not just community health and primary health but global health as well.

“Our future development is to have faculty of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences in 2018, as well as Global Health and Faculty of Surgical Sciences.

“To cater for Lagos, being a hub for commerce, tourism and entertainment.

“This will improve our ability to render best practises on our mandate for teaching, research and community service,’’ NAN quotes him as saying.

Solagberu said that the college produced an average of 70 doctors per session and appealed that the state government should employ at least 50 of them.

He urged the new doctors to imbibe effective planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of activities in the medical practise to excel.

NAN reports that 54 doctors were inducted with Dr Bello Oluwadamilola emerging as the overall best student.

ALSO READ:Ambode orders demolition of shanties around creeks, waterways

Also Alhaji Lateef Jakande, First Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode and others were the distinguished honourees of the college’s Roll of Honour at the event.