Don’t ‘japa’, let’s build Nigeria, Oyebanji, others tell UI young doctors

• Provost says there’s danger in letting best go
• VC urges 147 inductees to uphold best standard UI is known for
• ‘Next generation of Nigerian surgeons needs clinical exposure’

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Fatima Kyari; President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA), Emmanuel Otolorin; Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun, and others, have urged young Nigerian doctors to stay behind to build and give back to the country, saying there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

They made the call during the induction ceremony into the medical profession for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) graduating class of 2024 of the UI College of Medicine, Ibadan.

The programme took place at Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of the college, University College Hospital (UCH) premises where it was gathered that out of 147 inductees, only one of them said he would stay back in the country.

Oyebanji, whose child was one of the inductees, Toluwanimi Esther Oyebanji, pleaded with the inductees to stay back to add value to the country.

On her part, Kyari, who was represented by the Deputy Registrar and Head of Medical Registration, Dr Okwuokenye Henry, said that the Nigerian government had heavily subsidised their education and they ought to reciprocate by waiting to give back to the government.

Also, Omigbodun, who lamented the ‘japa’ syndrome, said: ”It is very saddening that most of our doctors want to leave Nigeria. These students are the best of the best.

“They were taken on total merit and the catchment area is the whole nation. These are very brilliant because it is very competitive for Ibadan. We are the best here. About 90 per cent of them were first-class and about 60 per cent were perfect.”

Otolorin, while addressing the inductees, said: ”Rethink leaving the country. If your teachers had gone, who would have taught you? We have to build and maintain this great institution. If you are going out, you are building another country. This institution made you and we want you to maintain the quality here. Come back to give to the school.”

The VC, who said medicine is a divine calling, urged the inductees to continue to uphold the best standard UI medical school is known for.
In his remarks, Prof. Samuel Omokhodion also urged the young doctors to acquire skills and come back to Nigeria.

IN another development, a professor of Paediatric Surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), AdesojiAdemuyiwa, has said the next generation of Nigerian surgeons needs clinical exposure, including core understanding of surgical basics, mentorship, technical proficiency, research, leadership and adaptability to innovative technology to fit in confidently into the surgical world.

Adesoji stated this in his keynote address at the 2024 Surgical Interest Group Lagos (SURGIL) conference with the theme, “From Classroom to Operating Room: Nurturing The Next Generation of Surgeons.”

He described early clinical exposure as key to cultivating a continued drive, adding that clinical exposure and hands-on experience help in providing practical skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of patient care.

Adesoji, who is also the Hub Director at the National Institute for Health Research on Global Surgery Unit (NIHR GSU), noted that future surgeons need to adapt to technology, stating that the landscape of surgical practice is changing rapidly.

He added that Artificial Intelligence and robots are already integral parts of surgical teams, which he believes, will soon be central to surgical practice.

Also speaking, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Dr Ademola Adeseye, emphasised the importance of mentorship, stating that everybody needs mentorship to fit well into a particular profession.

Adeseye, therefore, advised future surgeons to seek guidance in surgery and other walks of life and get in touch, but not overbearing.
On the issue of japa syndrome, President of SURGIL, Dr Foluso Akinwande, said there is a new trend called “Reversed Japa,” where medical professionals who travelled abroad for training in surgery or other medical specialties are returning to contribute to their home society.

He said japa syndrome is also driven by factors, such as proper training and exposure to advanced procedures like robotic and transparent surgery, which are not available in Nigeria.

He, therefore, urged policymakers to create a good structure to support resident doctors who have started their training and want to go outside the country to gain core skills.

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