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The University of Botswana (UB) has challenged its future doctors and pharmacists to place patient welfare, professional accountability and compassion at the centre of their practice as they begin the journey towards careers in healthcare.

The call was made at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Eighth Annual White Coat Ceremony held at UB on the 8th of October 2026, where Class of 2030 Pharmacy and Class of 2031 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students formally embraced the values and responsibilities of their chosen professions.

Delivering the keynote address, Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) Acting Chief Regulatory Officer, Professor Parthasarathi Gurumurthy, described the white coat as a symbol of public trust, ethical conduct and responsibility, reminding students that their knowledge and decisions would directly affect patients’ lives.

He urged them to look beyond academic achievement and recognise the realities facing patients particularly limited access to medicines, shortages of healthcare professionals and long journeys to obtain treatment. He also stressed the importance of teamwork between doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners in delivering safe and effective care.

As healthcare increasingly adopts artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies, Professor Gurumurthy encouraged students to develop digital competencies without losing sight of patient safety, confidentiality and the human dimension of care.

“Master technological edge but don’t lose touch with being human,” he said, underscoring the need to balance innovation with compassion and professional judgement.

The ceremony featured the formal presentation of white coats to both cohorts followed by professional pledges affirming their commitment to the standards and ethics of their respective fields.

Offering guidance on the demands of medical training, Orthopaedic Hand & Upper Limb Surgeon at Sidilega Private Hospital who is also an djunct lecturer at UB, Dr Kefilwe Boineelo Benjamin urged students to approach their studies with discipline, resilience and a willingness to learn from setbacks. She encouraged them to resist comparing their progress with that of others and to support one another through the challenges of their academic journeys.

Pharmacy student graduating in 2026, Ms Sadaf Aslam, highlighted the breadth of opportunities within the profession, extending beyond dispensing medicines to research, policy development and improving patient outcomes. Ms Aslam encouraged the incoming cohort to establish strong study habits and remain committed to academic excellence.

Held under the theme “Classroom to Community,” the ceremony brought together university leadership, healthcare professionals, regulatory bodies and industry partners, reflecting the collaboration required to prepare future healthcare practitioners.

The event reflects UB’s commitment to producing competent, ethical and compassionate medical and pharmacy professionals equipped to respond to Botswana’s healthcare needs.

For the two (2) incoming cohorts, the white coat marked more than a milestone in their studies. It signalled the beginning of a professional obligation to put patients first.