Second-year medical students at the University of Limpopo (UL) took an oath during a White Coat ceremony at the Mankweng Hospital, which served as an introduction to the anatomy discipline that involves the study of body structures and dissection
This year, students will conduct human anatomy practicums using cadavers (a dead human body that is used by medical students, physicians, and other scientists to study anatomy, identify disease sites, determine causes of death, and provide tissue to repair a defect in a living human being). They acknowledge and pledge ethical behaviour during the ceremony in honour of the deceased who donated their bodies for medical examinations.
Amokelane Mnisi, a class representative, described the ceremony as a critical preparation phase for advancing to the next level of their medical studies.
“We could not have chosen a better institution to train us as medical doctors,” added Mnisi, who expressed an interest in pursuing a paediatrics specialty, which deals with children and their diseases.
“Working with human bodies requires us (students) to be constantly vigilant, ethical, and committed,” he explained.
Also looking forward to the dissection module, Elizabeth Swart added: “taking the oath reminded me that I am studying to one day save lives and that I should soak up as much information as possible. I am also grateful to those who have donated their bodies.”
Swart also wishes to pursue a paediatric specialty. She emphasised that she chose medicine because she is committed to community development and believes that the profession will enable her to accomplish that goal.
“I believe that everyone, regardless of economic status, should have access to quality medical care,” the 19-year-old stated.
Dr. Victor Matabane, Anatomy Inspector at Mankweng Hospital, read a speech by the late Ramaranka Mogotlane, Emeritus Professor in Anatomy. Dr. Matabane cited Prof Mogotlane, who urged students to practise with reverence for the noble profession and the bodies of the deceased. It read “that respect must never diminish because these people are lying here all ready to yield the information that will stand you in good stead as you proceed your pathway of helping God’s creatures out of maladies related to health”.
The speech emphasised that the medical profession, particularly on the African continent, is severely lacking in researchers.
Director of the School of Medicine at UL, Prof Samuel Risenga, explained that the White Coat Ceremony was initiated decades ago by a group of doctors who wore white coats out of respect for the diseased before performing surgeries.
“The cadavers are our heroes and heroines (persons) who willingly donated their bodies for dissection,” he said, adding that anatomy is extremely difficult to learn without dissecting.
Prof Risenga stated that the students will be exposed to world-class facilities at Mankweng Hospital and urged them to maintain their commitment to graduate as fully-fledged competent practitioners.
“Embrace the cadavers; they are there for you to dissect so that, once qualified, you will understand how to treat patients. This is an ideal opportunity for you,” said Dr. Thakadu Mamashila, Limpopo Province’s Head of Forensic Pathology.
By Reuben Maake