Experts urge doctors to seek opportunities beyond profession
By Kemi Akintokun
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ashiru, Pro-Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, has advised doctors to seek opportunities beyond the medical walls to further enhance their capacity.
Ashiru gave the advice on Friday at the AGM/Scientific Conference organised by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Meta Chapter, Lagos.
The conference had the theme: “The Doctor Beyond the Profession”.
The Pro-Chancellor, who was the Chairman of the conference, said that professionals should not be restricted to their fields, if they desired growth.
Ashiru said: “A modern doctor is not restricted to the operating rooms or clinics alone.
“As doctors, you should reflect on the potential that lies beyond your skills, engage in other things that will make you stand out among your colleagues.
“You can only achieve this if you seek opportunities beyond the medical walls, and as a young man growing up, I ventured into many things.
“Today, I’m into banking, oil and gas, academic and other things because I seek opportunities outside my profession,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Ajibola Jeje, a Consultant Urologist Surgeon at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, said there was need for doctors to engage in other activities aside their profession.
Jeje, the Guest Speaker at the conference, said that such engagement would go a long way to improve their quality of life, noting that government alone could not meet their needs.
“The essence of this conference theme is how doctors can improve their lifestyle, looking at the current state of the health sector in Nigeria.
“A single stream of income which we call take home can no longer take doctors home again and that is why most of our young doctors are leaving to get better income.
“For those still in the country, they have to think outside the box and engage in other things that will generate streams of income for them.
“The government encourages farming, I have friends who are doctors and also big farmers, some also invest in other things.
“Doctors should think beyond the walls of their profession to improve their lifestyle because government will not give you everything you want,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Emeka Ibezie, Chairman, MDCAN FMC, Ebute Meta Chapter, said that the conference was an opportunity for doctors to explore how to move into the uncharted terrains of life.
Ibezie said: “Ordinarily, the life of a doctor revolves around their patients without having enough time to do other things.
“In the area of finance, doctors in the country are not well paid resulting to mass exodus of doctors from the country.
“For those of us that have decided to stay back, we need to look inwardly and see what we can do by diversifying into other areas to earn passive and active incomes,” he said.
The chairman urged the government to improve the welfare of health professionals and enhance the health indices of the nation. (NAN)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran
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