The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has advised newly qualified doctors to avoid over-dependence on Artificial Intelligence, cautioning that technology cannot substitute the logical reasoning, empathy, and human connection that characterize the medical field.
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Prof. Fatima Kyari, issued this warning on Monday during the induction and oath-taking ceremony for 65 new medical graduates from PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt.
Kyari, who led the ceremony and administered the Physician’s Pledge, reminded the graduates that although they are part of the AI generation, no machine can replicate the compassion and moral judgment that are vital for patient care.
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“As physicians, you do not solely rely on your pens; you also engage your hands and your hearts,” she stated. “You may belong to the AI generation, but keep in mind that AI is based on machine learning—it relies on human knowledge and performance. AI lacks the emotions, logical reasoning, and empathy that you possess. That is what distinguishes you as doctors.”
She encouraged the new practitioners to uphold respect, ethics, and empathy in their interactions with both colleagues and patients, stressing that public trust in the medical profession is founded on care and professionalism.
“As you advance in the science of medicine, remember to also be compassionate, for the patient before you is not concerned with your identity, but rather whether you are the appropriate person to provide their treatment. You must earn and sustain that trust,” she added.
In his address, Pro-Chancellor of PAMO University and former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, praised the institution’s achievements, highlighting that in less than eight years, it has produced over 330 healthcare professionals.
Odili announced a cash gift of N100,000 to each of the 65 new doctors and urged the Federal Government to reassess the compensation of doctors and health workers to address the increasing trend of migration abroad.
“Should other institutions progress at this pace, the so-called ‘japa’ syndrome will reduce. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he said, urging other states to emulate Rivers State’s scholarship support for medical students.
