University Don Tasks PUMS Medical Graduates on Empathy for Patients

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

A Professor of Microbiology, Mirabeau Tatfeng has observed that technology is rapidly transforming the healthcare industry in Nigeria, but it should be complemented with compassion for patients.

This was as Pamo University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), donated N2.8 million to students, who graduated from the Departments of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing Science and Radiography and Radiation Science.

Speaking as an induction lecturer at a joint induction/oath-taking ceremony of the graduates of PUMS in Port Harcourt, Prof. Tatfeng said that the transformation from diagnosis tools in medical laboratory science to remote monitoring in nursing and advanced imaging in radiography, innovation is improving patient care.

Tatfeng, a lecturer at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, in his lecture titled ‘Balancing Innovation and Compassion: The Role of Technology in Allied Health’, stated that the future of health shines brighter when technology advances hand in hand with compassion, ensuring that every innovation serves humanity with empathy.

Stressing that compassion is key to all in health, Tatfeng advised the graduates: “As you step into your roles, always remember that your patients need not just technical care, but empathy, respect and understanding,” adding that “technology should not replace us, capacity building is most important.”

Commending the pro-chancellor of the university, Dr. Peter Odili, for his vision that has instituted the medical school, Tatfeng urged the graduates to “go forward with pride in your chosen profession,” adding that they should be the change they wish to see in the healthcare industry.  

In his remarks, Dr. Odili announced the donation of N2.8 million to 28 of its graduands

The 28 graduates, which included 18 from the Department of Nursing Science, seven from Medical Laboratory Science and three from the Department of Radiography and Radiation Science, will receive N100,000 each.

Odili, a former Governor of Rivers State, also announced automatic employment for three graduates from the d

Department of Radiography and Radiation Science, at the Pamo Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.

He assured the medical laboratory science and nursing science graduates that the governing council of the university will do its best to ensure that they get job placements.

Odili urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution, just as their predecessors.

He commended the state government for its commitment to ensuring that citizens of Rivers have standard education, especially in medical sciences.

The acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Smith Jaja, reminded the graduates that the pledge they made during the induction and oath-taking exercise will live with them forever.

The joint induction/oath-taking ceremony was conducted on the graduands from the three departments by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN).