Family Health University College Medical School Graduates 15 New Doctors in Round 4 in May 2024

Exactly six months to the day of the last graduation on 9th Nov 23, the Family Health University College(FHUC) Medical School on Thursday 9th May 2024, graduated its fourth batch of Medical Doctors.  Fifteen medical students who undertook the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) graduated as doctors.

The GEMP is a four-and-half year medical programme which starts at Level 300, offered graduates with a first degree in the Sciences. The Regular Course for non-graduates takes six years.

The Congregation also had 33 Regular medical students graduate with BSc Medical Sciences as a prelude for further training to qualify as doctors. There were also matriculants to the Medical School and the Nurses and Midwifery Training Schools.

In the Daily Graphic of 24th November 2023, I stated as follows:

QUOTE

On Thursday, 9th November 2023, fifty-four medical students of the Family Health University College (FHUC) Medical School graduated as medical doctors. They comprised ten males and forty-four females. This is the third set of doctors the Medical School has produced. The doctors included four Nigerians and one Pakistani.

In 2020, the first set of thirty doctors graduated. In 2021, the second set of forty-seven doctors graduated. This brings to one hundred and thirty-one (131) the number of doctors the Family Health Medical School has produced so far.

Also graduating were two hundred BSc Nursing/BSc Midwifery students as well as Clinical Assistants students.

When I told an acquaintance of the graduation of doctors and nurses on 9th November 2023, he statedwith surprise,

“I thought Family Health was only a hospital. I did not know it had a medical and nursing/midwifery schools.”

So, what is Family Health University College (FHUC)?

FHUC

Located directly opposite the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Teshie, Accra, Family Health University College (FHUC) is a private medical facility comprising a hospital, a Nursing & Midwifery School and a Medical School.

The Family Health Medical School is Ghana’s premier private medical school.

FHUC is the brainchild of a medical-profession-couple, Professor Enyonam Yao Kwawukume, a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, and his wife Dr Susu Bridget Kwawukume, a Consultant Dermatologist.

It started modestly in 1997 as a Diagnostic Centre in a garage at 51 Guggisberg St, Korle Bu. In 2007, it moved to its present permanent site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and opposite Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Teshie. As the hospital expanded, the need to train its own nurses saw the establishment of a Nursing and MidwiferyTraining School in 2009.

From its humble beginnings as a “backyard clinic,” FHUC in 2016 was given a University status, and formally became known as the Family Health University College.

UNQUOTE

Addresses

The Guest-of-Honour was Rev Prof Patrick Ferdinand Ayeh-Kumi, the immediate-past Provost of the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon. The renowned Medical Parasitologist and Microbiologist spoke on the topic, “Educating and training the healthcare professional of the future.”

Addressing the new doctors, Prof Ayeh-Kumi stated that,

“The field of medicine is ever-evolving, demanding professionals who are skilled but adaptable, compassionate, and forward-thinking. Throughout your time here at FHUC, you have been equipped with the information, skills and values that embody this vision of the future healthcare professional. You have learnt to approach patients with empathy, to listen to their stories, fears and hopes, recognizing that everyone is distinct and deserving of personalized care. You have sharpened your clinical skills, mastered the art and science of diagnosis and treatment, and always strived for excellence.”

He ended his address by reminding the new doctors of the words of the renowned Canadian physician (1849 – 1919) Sir William Osler that, “The good physician treats the disease; The great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

Addressing the Congregation, the President of FHUC, Prof Kwawukume congratulated the newly qualified doctors as well as the Regular Course which started from Level 100 and have successfully completed the BSc Medical Sciences. They will qualify as doctors after further training.

The President of FHUC Prof Kwawukume added that “whether you are studying to become a nurse or doctor, here at Family Health University College, we operate as a big family unit. As such all members are expected to conduct themselves and relate with each other with respect and dignity.”

He advised them to uphold the core values of Leadership, Integrity, Compassion, Commitment to Lifelong-learning, Discipline and Teamwork.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana was represented by the Provost of Health Sciences Prof Julius Fobil who presented certificates to the graduands.

Awards

Dr Naomi Mbanya Kamkeng from Cameroon emerged the best student/Honour-Graduate. In her valedictory speech, she thanked FHUC for helping the students make their dreams a reality.

Among the guests who came to support/celebrate the graduating/matriculating students were Brig Gen Samuel Asare, the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC), Southern Command, and Dr Erica Dickson a Physician/Psychologist at the 37 Military Hospital.

The Teshie Mantse and his elders also graced the occasion, as did members of the Holy Child Past Students (HOPSA) 1972 to which co-founder Dr SusuBridget Kwawukume belongs.

Summary

Congratulations and commendations to the founders of Family Health University College Prof Enyonam Yao Kwawukume and his wife Dr (Mrs) Susu Bridget Kwawukume whose vision and tenacity, have transformed a “backyard clinic” (Diagnostic Centre) in 1997 into a University College in 2017. Currently, the Family Health University comprises a hospital, a Nursing/Midwifery Training School and a Medical School. Similar commendations go to the Staff and Faculty for their dedication and hard work.

It is hoped that the Family Health University Collegewill persist producing medical doctors and nurses/midwives as well as clinical assistants of the highest caliber, as its modest contribution to national development.  

Leadership, lead by example! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP!

 

Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)
Former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association
Nairobi, Kenya

Council Chairman, Family Health University College Accra.                         [email#160;protected]

 Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)