A report from a Rivers State University, at its medical faculty has revealed that 22 students were involved in examination malpractice within a two-week period during Medical Biochemistry (BCH) exams.

The cases cut across several health-related departments, including Public Health, Physiology, Radiography, and MBBS, raising concerns about academic integrity in fields that are directly linked to patient care and safety.

According to the document, the most common forms of malpractice included bringing unauthorized materials such as micro-notes and textbooks into the examination hall. There were also multiple instances of students using mobile phones to access information or communicate during the exams. In some cases, students reportedly used wireless earpieces to receive answers discreetly.

Academic observers note that Medical Biochemistry is a core subject in health sciences, forming part of the foundation for clinical training. Skipping or bypassing this knowledge may affect students’ performance in later stages of their education and professional competence.

Concerns have also been raised about the broader implications of such incidents. Repeated malpractice cases could affect the reputation of the institution and raise questions about the quality of training in critical healthcare fields.

The Examination Officer, Dr. Opusunju Boma Harris, is said to have taken steps to address the situation and reinforce academic standards within the department.

Education stakeholders continue to emphasize the importance of integrity in medical training, noting that competence in healthcare cannot be compromised.