The UCH Students’ Association (USA) held her annual Symposium on Thursday, 31st October, 2024, at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, University College Hospital
The symposium, themed “Navigating Healthcare Beyond the Clinic: Medicolegal Standards and Non-Traditional Careers in Healthcare Success”, was the sixth in a series of events organised as part of the Association’s annual Healthweek, with this year’s edition themed, ‘Refulgence ‘24’.
It began with an address by the USA President, David Uzor. Following this, the Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (Research and Ethics), UCH, Dr. Stanley Michael Obaro, delivered an address on behalf of the Chief Host, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, the Chief Medical Director, UCH. In his address, he admonished students to be passionate about their respective professions, and also emphasized the importance of a mindset of qualitative research. He also mentioned that UCH is set to release a research handbook to guide research practices, especially for students.
The Keynote Speech was given by Senator Biodun Sharafdeen Alli, who spoke extensively on ‘The Intersection of Law and Health: Emeging Trends and Issues’. His speech touched on the need for laws in healthcare policy and background for medico-legal relations in Nigeria.
Soon after, were the launches of the USA Magazine, CHIASMA, and the USA Research Hub. The USA Website was also launched by the Association’s Public Relations Officer, Lawrence Temidayo.
The final section of the event was a panel session on ‘Non-traditional careers in healthcare including challenges and future directions for Nigerian Healthcare’. Panelists include; President, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) UCH, Dr. John Oladapo, General Secretary ARD UCH, Dr. Gboyega Ajibola, Dr. Olaoluwa Promise Olaniyi, and Head of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Control, AXA Mansard, Dr. Lola Odedere.