Giving his statement, the UTG’s Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Pierre Gomez revealed that every year, the school organises this ceremony to swear-in newly graduated medical doctors after successful completion of their medical training at the University of The Gambia.
He said this year’s swearing in ceremony presents a solemn but joyous occasion for the graduating medical doctors to swear their professional oath and, thus, become properly inducted into the medical profession as qualified medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of The Gambia.
“It is gratifying to inform this august gathering that UTG is adding 35 doctors to the pool of doctors in the country. As usual, these are another crop of highly trained young men and women comprising 22 females and 13 males.
Hopefully he added, they will all stay and work to support health care delivery in The Gambia during these trying and difficult times, “and I sincerely hope that they will all promise to work in The Gambia at least for some years.”
The UTG Acting VC added that: These fine young men and women deserve our congratulations and appreciation. They have all exhibited commitment, resilience, diligence and dogged determination to make it to the finishing line.
According to him, from now on, the newly sworn-in doctors have the legal and moral right to use the title “Doctor”, adding that they have brought honour and smiles to themselves, their parents, guardians, lecturers, the University and the entire nation.
He further said that the event would not have been possible without the support of stakeholders and development partners, such as TIKA, WHO, and IDB. “I wish to thank them all at this stage. I wish also to congratulate the lecturers, the support staff of the School for working tirelessly against several challenges towards the achievement of this feat and all other objectives of the School,” he noted.
The school he disclosed, has trained students from different parts of the globe (Nigeria, Cameroon, USA, Egypt, Ghana, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Liberia) amongst others
“To address the increasing demand for places from both local and international applicants, we have rolled out our maiden BSc programme in midwifery and anesthesia. Besides, with World Bank support, we have introduced new postgraduate programmes,” he explained.
Professor Gomez added that to further improve on the staffing situation, the UTG’s Governing Council has in the recent past approved the appointments of several high caliber staff in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, among others. “We are out to positively change the academic trajectory of this university. We owe it to the Gambian people,” he assured.
Established some 22 years ago, the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences has worked steadily and progressively to create a niche for herself. The School is highly recognized both locally and internationally.
