The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) Prof. Fatima Kyari, on Tuesday warned new medical doctors against over-reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Kyari, who handed down the warning on Tuesday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 65 new medical graduates of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said the technology cannot replace the logical reasoning, empathy, and human touch that define the medical profession.
The MDCN boss also urged the new medical practitioners to remain respectful, ethical, and empathetic in their interactions with colleagues and patients, emphasising that public trust in medicine is built on care and professionalism.
Kyari, also urged the new medical practitioners to remain respectful, ethical, and empathetic in their interactions with colleagues and patients, emphasising that public trust in medicine is built on care and professionalism.
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According to Kyari, while they belong to the AI generation, no machine could replicate the compassion and moral judgment essential to patient care.
While administering the Physician’s pledge, she said medical doctors don’t only use just pens; but their hands and hearts to served humanity.
“You might be in the AI generation, but remember that AI is machine learning, it depends on human knowledge and performance. AI does not have the feelings, logical reasoning, or empathy that you have. That is what makes you doctors.”
“As you excel in the science of medicine, remember to also be caring, because the patient in front of you is not thinking about who you are, but whether you are the right person to treat them. You must earn and maintain that trust.” Prof. Kyari said.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Peter Odili, said in the past eight years, the institution has produced more than 330 healthcare professionals.
While urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure the sustenance of his novel health initiatives by investing more into the training of health professionals in the country, Odili called on the Federal Government to review the remuneration of doctors and health workers to stem the growing wave of migration abroad.
“If other institutions move at this pace, the so-called ‘japa’ syndrome will reduce. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation, that is why other states must emulate Rivers State’s scholarship support for medical students.” Dr Odili said.
The acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Smith Jaja, in his own remarks, stated that doctors from the University are well prepared to uphold the ethics and dignity of the profession.
