UB's medics advised against aggressive search for money but save lives

The medical practice in Cameroon is under serious review. Stakeholders are hitting hard for sanity to be restored. This is the background that prevailed on Saturday at the convocation ceremony of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, UB.

At the UB’s 750-seater Dorothy Limunga Njeuma Amphitheatre, the second batch of 67 Medical Doctors, who put in seven years of training, the 14th batch of 36 Nurses, the 14th batch of 26 Clinical Laboratory Scientists, the 3rd batch of Masters In Nursing Education and one student in Chemical Pathology graduated in a colourful yet solemn ceremony.


UB’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Nalova Lyonga cautioned the graduates to avoid the aggressive search for money as they get into the field and rather be professionally and ethically upright. “Go out there and serve the society, save lives because they are important,” she noted.


Nalova Lyonga invited the newfound medics to be part of Cameroon’s emergence, adding that they should work and do more research in malaria and follow the areas with problems. “Do statistical medicine, make contributions on the fight against HIV/AIDS and other pandemics plaguing the Cameroonian society and beyond.”


The UB VC will challenge the aforementioned crop of graduates to employ the rich resources around them to serve the nation, while reminding them that the patients should say they are good and not them(the graduates) blowing their own trumpet.


“Show proof that you deserve to be called UB graduates,” she mentioned.

A delighted Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Marcelin Ngowe Ngowe indicated that they are making efforts to train the best in the various areas of medicine in Cameroon, while soliciting more support from sister ministries like the Ministry of Public Health for better training options they have in perspective.


While expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education for preparing the grounds for the construction of new amphitheatres and restaurants for the Faculty and students, Prof. Ngowe Ngowe brought to the fore that the pioneer batch, who left in 2012 are yet to be recruited in the user Ministry, Public Health.


He told the graduates it is just the beginning and another opportunity to continue studying as well as uphold a deep sense of morality, decency in the discharge of their profession.


Professionalism will be reiterated by the Vice President of the Cameroon Medical Council, Dr. Edmond Agbor, noting that a good medical doctor is not manufactured but trained in a good medical school.


He said it is never easy to graduate in a medical discipline, saying this has been reinforced in Cameroon with the recent and welcomed decision to regulate medical practice and training across the country by the Ministry of Higher Education.

The Medic decried illegal medical practice in Cameroon, inviting the Ministry of Public Health to join the Cameroon Medical Council in the fight.


Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo told the graduates they are the pride of their Faculty, UB and the nation. He was delighted that the new Medical Doctors, the various grades of Nurses and Clinical Laboratory Scientists were well trained and ready for the challenges ahead of them.


He will add; “Make good use of your skills and knowledge gathered in your training. Make yourselves available and join the government to fight diseases in all the communities you live in and across the country. Make your light shine whenever and wherever duty calls.”


The good news of the day came from the Minister of Public Health, Andre Mama Fouda, who did not only congratulate UB’s efforts and that of the Faculty of Health Sciences in particular for preparing the personnel that is critical for the progress of the Ministry of Public Health, he announced that “all the 67 Medical Doctors have been absorbed in the Ministry of Public Health, while the other graduates will be progressively recruited, following government’s recruitment opportunities.”


Also present at the ceremony, Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Prof. Marie Therese Obama Ondoua supported UB with an Endowment Fund of FCFA 500,000.

In his valedictory speech, the best student in Medicine, Akem Dimala said after seven years of hard theoretical and practical work, they have survived the heat and are now fine-stew from the Faculty of Health Sciences, UB.


He told his fellow graduates to look forward to their self expectations and challenges to be good Medical Doctors, while reiterating the need of a teaching hospital in UB’s Faculty of Health Sciences.


Best student in the Faculty and in the Department of Nursing, Lydia Ngembane Diwangi placed her success on hard work and God’s guidance, indicating that she is looking forward to pursue her studies in the Masters and subsequently PhD levels in Nursing. “I love nursing; I have a passion for it.


It is not a problem for me. I am doing my best to introduce some revolution in the sector, make positive changes and impact as many people as possible,” she promised.