Among the 310 healthcare professionals who took Hippocratic Oath are 53 qualified medical doctors (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery – MBChB), who pledged to help reduce the doctor-to-patient ratio of 1 to 3,198
By Johannes Selepe | mosela.selepe@ul.ac.za
In a rousing address at the annual oath-taking ceremony for 310 healthcare students from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Limpopo (UL), Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Richard Madadzhe, underscored the profound responsibility that comes with joining the healthcare sector
The event saw 53 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) students, 63 Bachelor of Pharmacy students, 39 Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences students, 32 Bachelor of Science in Dietetics students, 45 Bachelor of Optometry students, and 78 Bachelor of Nursing Science students taking the oath. They committed to serving people with humility and respect after dedicating four to six years at UL to mastering the intricacies of their respective fields.
Professor Richard Madadzhe, UL’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning
Prof Madadzhe described the oath-taking as a commitment to serve humanity. “It is about the conscientious prioritisation of good practice and the well-being of others. It signifies a pledge to work with respect for patients, maintain confidentiality, and selflessly apply one’s professional knowledge,” he said.
He emphasised that the ceremony goes beyond symbolic gestures, challenging the students to use the knowledge gained at UL to uphold human rights—even in the face of adversity.
Highlighting the indispensable role of healthcare professionals in everyday life, Prof Madadzhe posed thought-provoking questions: “If there were no doctors, who would write the prescriptions that the pharmacists we train expertly process? Without the optometrists we produce, who would address issues of eyesight? Our dieticians, too, play a critical role in eradicating diseases related to poor nutrition.”
Prof Madadzhe expressed pride in UL’s contributions to South Africa’s healthcare workforce, noting that many of the pharmacists and optometrists in towns across the country are UL alumni, with some even running their own practices.
“Nurses, in particular, hold a special place in patient care,” he added. “While doctors diagnose and prescribe, it is the nurses who remain to provide the compassionate care patients need to recover. At the same time, medical scientists play a pivotal role in testing blood and ensuring accurate diagnoses.”
Onicca Tefo, the top MBChB student and the 2024 best overall student in the Faculty of Health Sciences
Onicca Tefo (33) was named the best Overall Student in the Faculty of Health Sciences. She holds an Occupational Therapy degree from another institution, and her recently completed MBChB degree at UL marks her second qualification. Coming from Boyne village in the Polokwane Local Municipality, she expressed gratitude for the support she received from her husband and lecturers. “Having grown up in the village of Mashashane, I always aspired to become a medical doctor. I ultimately achieved this, no matter how long it took, so I can help take healthcare services to rural areas,” she said.
Mmapelo Dikotla (21), the Top Student in the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme from Ga-Mothapo in the Polokwane Local Municipality, said balancing academic pressure with social life was challenging.
“I tried to balance both. My appeal is for us pharmacists to work hard to advise people against taking drugs without prescriptions, as some drugs can be dangerous,” she said.
Rider Tshikamuroho, the 2024 top student in Nursing Science and the overall top student in the School of Health Care Sciences
Rider Tshikamuroho (22), from Lamvi in Ha-Makuya in Vhembe, was the Top Student in Nursing Science and the Overall Top Student in the School of Health Care Sciences. “It was not easy, but I made it. The mentors played a vital role in advising me on how to manage my academics effectively,” he shared.
The Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Mamare Bopape, expressed confidence that the 310 health professionals would play a pivotal role in the sector and devote themselves to serving the people. “I hope that every patient who leaves your care will have experienced an improvement in their health,” she said.