By Mahzouba Maya Faal
The 15th edition of the Oath-Taking ceremony of graduating medical students, from the University of The Gambia’s School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (SMAHS), took place on June 22nd 2022.
Every year, the school organises this ceremony to swear-in newly graduated medical doctors after successful completion of their medical training. This serves as a proper induction into the medical profession as qualified medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia.
Presiding over the swearing-in ceremony, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, Prof. Pierre Gomez remarked: “UTG is adding 40 doctors to the pool of doctors in the country as opposed to 36 last year”. He expressed hope that graduates will stay and work to support health care delivery in The Gambia for at least some years.
“Go out now and restore hope and health, for the nation is calling... As doctors, you have the monopoly to heal the sick and you must not abuse that power. Being the only group with the skills to prevent the premature loss of life, you must learn to place the needs of your patients ahead of your personal comforts,” the minister advised.
He also extended congratulations to the UTG Vice Chancellor, the provost, lecturers and support staff of the school for working tirelessly against several challenges towards the achievement of this feat and all other objectives of the school.
This batch of doctors brings the total number of doctors to 321, so far produced from SMAHS since the first batch graduated in 2006.
