University of Pretoria graduates pledge commitment to healthcare

In a heartfelt tradition that marks a crucial transition in their professional journeys, approximately 250 students from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences took a solemn pledge this week at the joint declaration ceremony for the School of Medicine, held at the Aula on the Hatfield Campus. With their Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) degrees now in hand, these new graduates are stepping onto the pathway of becoming future medical practitioners, ready to tackle the challenges of South Africa’s healthcare system.

Addressing the eager graduates, their families, and academic staff, Professor Flavia Senkubuge, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasised the weight of the responsibilities that lay ahead for these newly qualified doctors.

“To our wonderful doctors, you are going to make a solemn commitment to uphold the core values of your profession,” she said, encouraging them to embrace honour, confidentiality, and, most importantly, humanity in their future practice.

“Today is not just about reciting words; it is about making a vow to your patients, to uphold their dignity, their health, their humanity and to yourself, to let the principles in that oath become your lifelong compass.”

The declaration ceremony is a significant milestone, celebrating not only the completion of the rigorous academic programme but also serving as an affirmation of their professional obligations to the communities they will eventually serve. Special recognition was given to students who achieved distinctions or merit, with various prizes awarded across different disciplines, indicating the high standards of excellence upheld by the faculty.

“From the very beginning, I held one clear vision: to build the number one Faculty of Health Sciences on the African continent,” Prof Senkubuge shared, conveying a sense of pride in the extraordinary capabilities of the staff and graduates alike. “There is no doubt in my mind that we have all the ingredients to achieve that.”

Dr Angelique Coetzee of the South African Medical Association delivered an inspiring address to the graduates, underscoring the importance of not only medical knowledge and technical skills but also the essence of remaining human.

“Your energy is as important as any drug you prescribe,” she noted, adding that passion and integrity should remain at the forefront of their practice. Her sentiments echoed the overarching theme of the event: that medicine is as much about the connection with patients as it is about clinical competence.

“In every interaction, anxiety can be alleviated, hope restored and healing supported through calmness, empathy and attentiveness,” Dr Coetzee reminded the graduates, highlighting a vital aspect of healthcare that transcends medical treatments alone.

Meanwhile, the School of Healthcare Sciences held a separate ceremony to honour students who have recently completed their community service and examinations, as they prepared for graduation in April 2026.

Degrees conferred at this event included Bachelor of Dietetics, Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Physiotherapy, and Bachelor of Radiography. Each cohort was guided by its respective head of department, illustrating the faculty's commitment to nurturing future healthcare professionals.

On the same day, a heartfelt oath-taking ceremony was conducted for newly qualified dentists and oral hygienists, who made their vow to practice with honesty and integrity, reinforcing the ethical standards expected in the dental profession.

As the Faculty of Health Sciences continues to foster exceptional talent, the newly qualified practitioners—including those awarded degrees in Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP), Dental Surgery (BChD), Oral Hygiene (BOH), and others—are set to make a profound impact on the future of South Africa’s healthcare system.