By:
Nzurumike Chimdiadi and Emmanuel Egbungwu.

The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, hosted her first-ever orientation session for newly inducted House Officers on May 25, 2025.The Hospital administration and participants praised the efforts, which focused on professionalism, ethical behaviour, and patient safety while highlighting the vital role interns play in clinical practices.

The Chief Medical Director, Professor Obinna Onodugo, gave a stirring speech of gratitude. He called the orientation exercise ‘the first of its type’ and a critical step in improving clinical procedures, and he praised the House Officers for starting it. Professor Onodugo commended the creation of a recorded Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) handbook as a historic accomplishment and underlined the essential role House Officers play as the initial point of contact in patient care.

Professor Joy Eze, Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), gave an engaging talk on the topic “Understanding the Role of House Officers: Responsibility, Service, and Ethical Conduct.” She emphasized the value of self-control, modesty, and lifelong study. According to her, interns are medical students working under supervision and are required to take part in all aspects of patient care, including physical examinations and clinical paperwork. She emphasized moral limits, such as protecting patient privacy and refraining from using patient photos without their permission. She cited Aristotle when she said that the perfect house officer should be good-natured, amiable, and a liaison between the patient and the medical staff.

During his talk on quality improvement, Professor Val Ugwu, the immediate past C-MAC, advised the interns to view themselves as active participants rather than passive workers. He also urged House Officers to adopt a quality improvement attitude, characterizing it as a methodical, data-driven approach to improving healthcare service.

In his talk on infection prevention and control, Dr. Katchy Ugwa (IPC Focal Person), on the theme: safety culture, highlighted the importance of hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). He listed the ‘Five Moments of Hand Hygiene’ and discouraged inappropriate use of scrubs outside operating areas. He reiterated that safety is a shared responsibility between patients, caregivers, and medical staff.

Speaking on life beyond a house job, Dr. Urom Kelechi encouraged the interns to save money, plan ahead, and seek specialised training. Though he stressed the value of self-care and spiritual grounding, he urged them to think about other career options like politics or business.

Practical work descriptions with emphasis on paying attention to details were given by chief residents from different departments. They urged interns to approach all clinical tasks with diligence.

The ARD President also spoke to the interns, promising them that their housemanship experiences will help them decide on their future professional paths.

House Officer Rep. Dr. Agbom Sunday Benjamin, in his vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the CMD, facilitators, and fellow interns for honouring the invitation. He noted that the CMD played a vital role in the success of the event.

The high point of the event was the formal unveiling of the SOP manual by the Chief Medical Director—a symbolic gesture that sealed the commitment to professionalism and continuous improvement.

The event was widely regarded as a resounding success, setting a new standard for intern orientation and training.