Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by weezii(m): 7:56am On Oct 13, 2013 |
hi miss sparklebug I sent you an email. please I need to get some information from you. thanks |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamdeclan(m): 6:55pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
phineas: The problem with undergraduates in Nigeria is simple,you have no carrear mentors.
Who builds a house without first counting the cost? Most expect to graduate and a job fall in their laps by chance,connections or luck.truth is what you need is adequate planning and using your spare undergrad time to align with opportunities and free courses that abound some on the internet this will give you a competitive edge in the area u want to work in and you start from that 100l not after NYSC.
BMS physiology,microbiology and biochem are in high demand in many org,and there is no week you don't see adverts from such org for vacancies.from quality assurance in med,to biomedics,to data management,to disease surveillance,trainings,etc also the fed govt ,state govt,NPHDA, amongst others and there are some that pay better than clinical consultants of 20yrs will ever hope to earn in Nig.....there ur degree isn't discriminated so long as you have basic medical knowledge and exp neccesarry for the job.
My point is rather than been pesimistic from the onset,the way forward is to meet snr ones that have grad and been working for yrs they'll tell you what they have learnt about the industry,the opportunities that are available and what they would require so u start planning towards it.another way is to check the papers not for a job but for the requirements for those posts that BMS can apply for,meet up with pple from those org ask questions,start planning.
Avoid neg pple and those striving for roles not suited to them,find succesfull pple in your field that earn well and ask them the way,Network like mad starting now is the key,those relationships will come in usefull sometime in future,cos a lot of openings never get advertized but spread by word of mouth in the same setting and you only tell those you know.
if you want to travel,the time to start planning is also 100l.
My 2 piece. 9ice 1,are u a graduate in any BMS course,am a 300L physiology student,Unilorin. kindly connect me wit graduates from my field. u can get me at Iamdeclan23@gmail.com |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamdeclan(m): 8:46pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
mindthing: I have a B.sc in Human Physiology from one of the federal universities in this country, and i can say outright that there is little professional niche for the basic medical sciences in Nigeria. I have personally never looked at my discipline as a meal ticket in itself, because right from when i was in school (i graduated in 2004), even doctors (MBBS holders) had started having their own challenges. I often looked at the kind of cars they drove and how they dressed and simply knew i wanted far more than that. So i started writing my IT certifications from 300L. Now i am almost 10 years in my field of IT, an esoteric field at that because it wasn't vastly popular at the time, and i see my colleagues who are now doctors now not even anywhere close to me in terms of earnings and standing... in actual fact, lots of them have gone either into research (overseas), into business or into administrative medicine because of the allure of the lucre... practice simply cuts it no more (ditto the strikes and protests etc in the health sector these days).
So what is my point?
1. Realize that little niche exists for para-medicine in this country
2. Go overseas if you can, para-meds have better working hours and really good pay there, especially in the US, UK and Asia
3. Get your Physiology/Anatomy certificate, and get an education with it, not just literacy. You will find that a little dexterity when applying the kind of mind that got you your degree in the first place to other disciplines will yield amazing results; and
4. Quit whining and start figuring out which of 2 & 3 you wanna do. Better to start late than never.
Good hunting.
i lyk ya post bro,is dia anyway i can contact u?? plz lemme knw. am 300L undergraduate of physiology at unilorin |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by lepasharon(f): 9:52pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
how hard is it in naija to own ur own laboratory ? |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Madeu(m): 10:19pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
lepasharon: how hard is it in naija to own ur own laboratory ? You need a licence. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamdeclan(m): 1:59pm On Jul 17, 2014 |
[color=][/color] TONYE001: Good one OP.
I just had my B. Sc in Human Physiology and I made a Second Class Upper.
I understand that getting a job as an Anatomist or Physiologist is difficult but there are still possibilities.
One may decide to further and specialize in any of the branches (eg, in Physiology: Blood and Body Fluid Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Neuro Physiology, etc.). There are also vacancies to work in some health NGOs (eg, the various HIV/AIDS NGOs). They pay well.
You can also deviate a little into Laboratory Sciences, Radiography (Anatomists), Electrophysiology (EEG, EOG, ECG etc).
For those that wanted Medicine, simply seek means of going back to the medical school.
Thank you. TONYE001: Good one OP.
I just had my B. Sc in Human Physiology and I made a Second Class Upper.
I understand that getting a job as an Anatomist or Physiologist is difficult but there are still possibilities.
One may decide to further and specialize in any of the branches (eg, in Physiology: Blood and Body Fluid Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Neuro Physiology, etc.). There are also vacancies to work in some health NGOs (eg, the various HIV/AIDS NGOs). They pay well.
You can also deviate a little into Laboratory Sciences, Radiography (Anatomists), Electrophysiology (EEG, EOG, ECG etc).
For those that wanted Medicine, simply seek means of going back to the medical school.
Thank you. TONYE001: Good one OP.
I just had my B. Sc in Human Physiology and I made a Second Class Upper.
I understand that getting a job as an Anatomist or Physiologist is difficult but there are still possibilities.
One may decide to further and specialize in any of the branches (eg, in Physiology: Blood and Body Fluid Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Neuro Physiology, etc.). There are also vacancies to work in some health NGOs (eg, the various HIV/AIDS NGOs). They pay well.
You can also deviate a little into Laboratory Sciences, Radiography (Anatomists), Electrophysiology (EEG, EOG, ECG etc).
For those that wanted Medicine, simply seek means of going back to the medical school.
Thank you. Yeas,i am a 300L undergrad of physiology&i dnt plan returnin 4 med.i stil bliv dia are ways 2 make it in dz course. can i get 2 knw u? #iamdeclan23@gmail.com# 7A13C12D |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamdeclan(m): 2:33pm On Jul 17, 2014 |
Kdjmamar: is it a most to work in hospital or lab? is it only doctors dat make it in life? abeg wise up am physiologist nd am makin my money, i mean cool money . just know that u re going to make it in dis world! sikena Bro plz can i get 2 know you?? i am also a physiologist undergradute. plz contact me on iamdeclan23@gmail.com or add me 7A13C12D |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Nobody: 1:57am On Nov 01, 2014 |
... |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Damie370: 7:19am On Nov 01, 2014 |
I av just been admitted to study pharmacology.....pls wat do u think about pharmacololgist job opportunities in Nigeria |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Madeu(m): 12:09pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
Rjasan: How much is the salary of a med _ lab scientist. The salary varies with establishment. Med lab sci are placed on Conmess 8. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Madeu(m): 12:12pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
Damie370: I av just been admitted to study pharmacology.....pls wat do u think about pharmacololgist job opportunities in Nigeria You fall in the same order like every other graduate. Basically, its seems like a wholly academic line. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Damie370: 1:37pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
But pharmacology is a branch of pharmacy although i know dat pharmacology is not pharmacy but i still think pharmacololgist should av a say in Job opportunities since it is a branch of pharmacy |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Nobody: 4:18pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
Madeu:
The salary varies with establishment. Med lab sci are placed on Conmess 8. But how much do you think they are paid in most government and private hospitals. Please help with figures. What's Conmess 8?. Please enlighten me more. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Madeu(m): 5:18pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
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Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Nobody: 9:43pm On Nov 01, 2014 |
You know, this BMS of a thing makes me sad most times. Going through the stress of reading wide, going extra mile to borrow courses from Biochemistry, anatomy and other department. Coming out as a fresh graduate, with no hope of working somewhere related to your line except lecturing.
I just wonder why they belittle us, I wonder why they can't give us a license. Personally, I'm the shy and timid type. Do you think lecturing is the best option for me?.
Starting from 100 level, I'll always sit and ask what's next after after B.Sc. Going back for medicine is just a no no.
I only look up to God. Am so confident in him. I know He'll guide and direct my path to my place of fulfilment. 2 Likes |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Nobody: 6:40am On Nov 02, 2014 |
Hmmm... |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Nobody: 11:14am On Nov 02, 2014 |
temigracie: You know, this BMS of a thing makes me sad most times. Going through the stress of reading wide, going extra mile to borrow courses from Biochemistry, anatomy and other department. Coming out as a fresh graduate, with no hope of working somewhere related to your line except lecturing.
I just wonder why they belittle us, I wonder why they can't give us a license. Personally, I'm the shy and timid type. Do you think lecturing is the best option for me?.
Starting from 100 level, I'll always sit and ask what's next after after B.Sc. Going back for medicine is just a no no.
I only look up to God. Am so confident in him. I know He'll guide and direct my path to my place of fulfilment. you are in what dept in BMS. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by lepasharon(f): 7:54pm On Nov 02, 2014 |
temigracie: You know, this BMS of a thing makes me sad most times. Going through the stress of reading wide, going extra mile to borrow courses from Biochemistry, anatomy and other department. Coming out as a fresh graduate, with no hope of working somewhere related to your line except lecturing.
I just wonder why they belittle us, I wonder why they can't give us a license. Personally, I'm the shy and timid type. Do you think lecturing is the best option for me?.
Starting from 100 level, I'll always sit and ask what's next after after B.Sc. Going back for medicine is just a no no.
I only look up to God. Am so confident in him. I know He'll guide and direct my path to my place of fulfilment. Go for graduate entry medicine |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Madeu(m): 6:26am On Nov 03, 2014 |
temigracie: You know, this BMS of a thing makes me sad most times. Going through the stress of reading wide, going extra mile to borrow courses from Biochemistry, anatomy and other department. Coming out as a fresh graduate, with no hope of working somewhere related to your line except lecturing.
I just wonder why they belittle us, I wonder why they can't give us a license. Personally, I'm the shy and timid type. Do you think lecturing is the best option for me?.
Starting from 100 level, I'll always sit and ask what's next after after B.Sc. Going back for medicine is just a no no.
I only look up to God. Am so confident in him. I know He'll guide and direct my path to my place of fulfilment. Most renowned academicians are the nerdy, geek types. When they have something great to offer, they overcome the stage fright feeling and the timidness they faced in everyday contact with people. Many of my colleagues are doing something useful with their BMS cert. You can also do better. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamdeclan(m): 7:45am On Nov 07, 2014 |
mindthing: I have a B.sc in Human Physiology from one of the federal universities in this country, and i can say outright that there is little professional niche for the basic medical sciences in Nigeria. I have personally never looked at my discipline as a meal ticket in itself, because right from when i was in school (i graduated in 2004), even doctors (MBBS holders) had started having their own challenges. I often looked at the kind of cars they drove and how they dressed and simply knew i wanted far more than that. So i started writing my IT certifications from 300L. Now i am almost 10 years in my field of IT, an esoteric field at that because it wasn't vastly popular at the time, and i see my colleagues who are now doctors now not even anywhere close to me in terms of earnings and standing... in actual fact, lots of them have gone either into research (overseas), into business or into administrative medicine because of the allure of the lucre... practice simply cuts it no more (ditto the strikes and protests etc in the health sector these days).
So what is my point?
1. Realize that little niche exists for para-medicine in this country
2. Go overseas if you can, para-meds have better working hours and really good pay there, especially in the US, UK and Asia
3. Get your Physiology/Anatomy certificate, and get an education with it, not just literacy. You will find that a little dexterity when applying the kind of mind that got you your degree in the first place to other disciplines will yield amazing results; and
4. Quit whining and start figuring out which of 2 & 3 you wanna do. Better to start late than never.
Good hunting.
Bro,why not just put your number down,a lit of people will wanna get more of that orientation. I'm a 300L student of physiology and just like u said,I don't fancy the lyf of those doctors so I don't plan returning for mb be.. I will want u to tell me more abt option 3... Anticipating ur reply& ur contact or anywia I can get u on any social network |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Raphael9(m): 3:19pm On Feb 12, 2015 |
Damie370: But pharmacology is a branch of pharmacy although i know dat pharmacology is not pharmacy but i still think pharmacololgist should av a say in Job opportunities since it is a branch of pharmacy please how many years is ur course (pharmacology) |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Damie370: 12:17pm On Feb 14, 2015 |
Four years |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Lawiee: 12:40am On Apr 26, 2015 |
Abeg make una help me out. I put in for medicine, but the school I registered in gave me Anatomy. Pls I don't want to to go back to read medicine in any way after 5 years of reading anatomy. I just started my 4th year. Pls, I began guys
Pls I don't need your criticism. Just advice me as you would your younger one. Especially chreld_b: |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Olucheye(m): 12:15pm On Apr 26, 2015 |
Lawiee: Abeg make una help me out. I put in for medicine, but the school I registered in gave me Anatomy. Pls I don't want to to go back to read medicine in any way after 5 years of reading anatomy. I just started my 4th year. Pls, I began guys
Pls I don't need your criticism. Just advice me as you would your younger one. Especially chreld_b: If you'll not mind, lose a year and go for Medicine except you've got enough to fund a medical school outside the country. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Abcruz(m): 10:07pm On May 03, 2015 |
This issue is really really bad. How can one go to school, study a course painstakingly with the mindset of greater hope ahead, only to end up searching for jobs that can never be found. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by iamcourage(m): 10:54am On Sep 11, 2015 |
As a biochemist..must you work in the hospital? Why not explore other areas! If you limit yourselfs to just hospitals you will get fustrated.. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Raphael9(m): 4:29pm On Sep 12, 2015 |
pls what are the chances of a pharmacologist surviving in the medical labor market of our great country Nigeria. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by medpren: 3:50pm On Nov 12, 2015 |
Your knowledge is relevant. Learn to become an entrepreneur with your BMS degree. |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by nelszx: 2:34am On Jan 11, 2016 |
Madeu:
The salary varies with establishment. Med lab sci are placed on Conmess 8. Young graduates (Intern) Medical Lab scientists are placed on CONHESS 8 step 2 that's roughly (N1,650,392.00 pa.) Then post NYSC is a step above that CONHESS 9 step 2 and it goes on |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Ovipoet: 9:37pm On Jan 28, 2016 |
A biomedical scientist (biomedician, biomedical doctor, medical scientist , clinical scientist) is a scientist trained in biology , particularly in the context of medicine . These scientists work to gain knowledge on the main principles of how the human body works and to find new ways to cure or treat disease by developing advanced diagnostic tools or new therapeutic strategies . The research of biomedical scientists is referred to as biomedical research . Biomedical scientists can have a particular focus on basic , pre-clinical , or translational research . While biomedical scientists specifically focus on understanding the human body and disease, scientists educated in other fields also contribute greatly to advancements in medical knowledge, including biologists, biomedical engineers, chemists , and physicists. In the United Kingdom , the term "biomedical scientist" as related to the health service has a different meaning than in other parts of the world, specifically referring to a class of healthcare professional that performs clinical pathology services. Description The specific activities of the biomedical scientist can differ in various parts of the world and vary with the level of education. Generally speaking, biomedical scientists conduct research in a laboratory setting, using living organisms as models to conduct experiments . These can include cultured human or animal cells grown outside of the whole organism, small animals such as flies , worms , fish , mice , and rats, or, rarely, larger animals and primates. Biomedical scientists may also work directly with human tissue specimens to perform experiments as well as participate in clinical research . Biomedical scientists employ a variety of techniques in order to carry out laboratory experiments. These include: Molecular and biochemical techniques Electrophoresis and blotting Immunostaining Chromatography Mass spectrometry PCR and sequencing Microarrays Imaging technologies Light , fluorescence , and electron microscopy MRI PET X-ray Genetic engineering/modification Transfection Viral transduction Transgenic model organisms Electrophysiology techniques Patch clamp EEG, EKG, ERG In silico techniques Bioinformatics Computational biology Level of education Biomedical scientists typically obtain a terminal academic degree , usually a doctorate. (PhD, DSc, DPhil, etc.) This degree is necessary for faculty positions at academic institutions, as well as senior scientist positions at most companies. Some biomedical scientists also possess a medical degree (MD , DO , MBBS, etc.) in addition to an academic degree. Work environment Academics This category includes tenured faculty positions at universities, colleges, non- profit research institutes , and sometimes hospitals . These positions usually afford more intellectual freedom and give the researcher more latitude in the direction and content of the research. Scientists in academic settings, in addition to conducting experiments, will also attend scientific conferences, compete for research grant funding, publish scientific papers , and teach classes. Industry Industry jobs refer to private sector jobs at for-profit corporations. In the case of biomedical scientists, employment is usually at large pharmaceutical companies or biotechnology companies. Positions in industry tend to pay higher salaries than those at academic institutions, but job security compared to tenured academic faculty is significantly less. Researchers in industry tend to have less intellectual freedom in their research than those in the academic sector, owing to the ultimate goal of producing marketable products that benefit the company. Non-Traditional Career Paths In recent years, more biomedical scientists have pursued careers where advanced education and experience in biomedical research is needed outside of traditional laboratory research. These areas include patent law , consulting , public policy, and science journalism . The primary reason for growth in these areas is that in recent years fewer positions are available in traditional academic research relative to the number of seekers; approximately 15-20% of PhD life scientists will obtain a tenure-track position or lab-head position in industry. [1] United Kingdom "Biomedical scientist" is the protected title used by professionals qualified to work unsupervised within the pathology department of a hospital. [2] The biomedical sciences are made up of the following disciplines; biochemistry , haematology, immunology , microbiology, histology , cytology, bacteriology and transfusion services. These professions are regulated within the United Kingdom by the Health professions council . Anyone who falsely claims to be a biomedical scientist commits an offence and could be fined up to £ 5000. Each department specialises in aiding the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Entry to the profession requires an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited BSc honours degree followed by a minimum of 12 months laboratory training in one of the pathology disciplines, however the actual time spent training can be considerably longer. Trainees are also required to complete a certificate of competence training portfolio, this requires gathering extensive amounts of evidence to demonstrate professional competence. At the end of this period the trainees portfolio and overall competence are assessed if successful state registration is achieved. State registration indicates that the applicant has reached a required standard of education and will follow the guidelines and codes of practice created by the health professions council.More recently a co-terminus degree has been implemented to bring the profession into line with the other professions allied to health care. Students now participate in a placement year,which lasts 15 weeks, in either the second or third years of their degree. Students are then awarded their state registration on completion of their degree. Placements are not guaranteed and places are limited to the top students, those who do not get placements can follow the old style of registration but are at a serious disadvantage when applying for posts. Biomedical scientists are the second largest profession registered by the Health Professions Council and make up a vital component of the health care team. Many of the decisions doctors make are based on the test results generated by biomedical scientists. Despite this, much of the general public are unaware of biomedical scientists and the important role they play. This lack of awareness extends to many doctors and nurses; often biomedical scientists are incorrectly referred to as laboratory technicians. Biomedical scientists are not confined to NHS laboratories. Biomedical scientists along with scientists in other inter-related medical disciplines seek out to understand human anatomy, genetics, immunology, physiology and behaviour at all levels. This is sometimes achieved through the use of model systems that are homologous to various aspects of human biology. The research that is carried out either in Universities or Pharmaceutical companies by biomedical scientists has led to the development of new treatments for a wide range of degenerative and genetic disorders. Stem cell biology, cloning , genetic screening/therapies and other areas of biomedical science have all been generated by the work of biomedical scientists from around the world. Leading UK biomedical science academics and researchers include: Prof Mark Ferguson, Prof P G (Gerry) McKenna MRIA, Prof David Rogers, Prof Val Randall and Prof Robert May. ↑Jump back a section Education Biomedical science graduate programs are maintained at academic institutions and medical schools around the world, and some biomedical graduate programs are administered jointly by an academic institution and a business, hospital, or independent research institute. While graduate students historically committed to a particular research specialty, such as molecular biology , biochemistry , genetics, or developmental biology , the recent trend (particularly in the United States) is to offer interdisciplinary programs that do not specialize and instead aim to incorporate a broad education in multiple biological disciplines. Historically people entering biomedical graduate programs have held a master's degree, although many universities (particularly in the United States) currently accept applicants holding a bachelor's degree with exceptional credentials such as high undergraduate GPA and entry examination scores as well as extensive research experience. Initially, biomedical graduate students usually rotate through the laboratories of several faculty researchers, after which the student commits to joining a particular laboratory for the remainder of his or her tenure. The remaining time is spent conducting original research under the direction of the principal investigator to complete and publish a dissertation. Unlike undergraduate and professional schools, there is no set time period for graduate education. Students graduate once a thesis project of significant scope to justify the writing of their dissertation has been completed, a point that is determined by the student's principal investigator as well as his or her faculty advisory committee. The average time to graduation can vary between institutions, but most programs average around 5–6 years. [3] Biomedical scientists typically study in undergraduate majors that are focused on biological sciences, such as biochemistry , microbiology, zoology, biophysics, etc. Thank you so much, but this is old news. The problem is that the Nigerian government do not have the best equipments or research perspective to accommodate all the myriad of graduates produced from this FIELD..... They have to pay more attention to research and bring up a strategy to save the situation.... LOTS OF GRADUATES AND INTELLECTUAL MINDS..... But can we all be absorbed into the university as lecturers What happens to the others who are not inclined to teaching? |
Re: Basic Medical Science In Nigeria - The Way Forward? by Ovipoet: 8:45am On Jan 29, 2016 |
Following several stakeholders meetings in the last two years and as a prelude to the formal release of the New Minimum Academic benchmark (2015), the National universities Commission has approved relevant adjustments relating to Medical/ Dental schools. Jude Chiedu of Medicalworldnigeria.com reports that a major change to essential components of the new curriculum expected to be in use from the 2016/2017 academic session is the approval of three alternative models viz; i. A seven year MBBS/BDS programme that encompass a mandatory seamless four-year acquisition of the B.Sc. (Basic Medical Science) with interest in either Anatomy/Physiology/Biochemistry. At the end of seven years, students would have acquired the Bachelor of Basic Medical Science, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees. In case of the dental programmes, the students would have acquired a degree in Basic Dental Science and Bachelor of Dental Surgery. ii. In order to allow for career change for interested non-medical health professionals, the Commission has also approved a four year programme leading to MBBS/BDS for interested and qualified graduates of Nursing, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy, Image Science, Paramedics, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology. It must be noted for such to be considered for admission they must have at the WAEC/NECO levels minimum credit scores in Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology at one sitting, prior to the admissions for their first degrees. They must also have a good CGPA. iii. Admission into universities based on the current six year programme would be allowed to continue as suitable alternative based on the discretion of the University. It should be noted and emphasized that all the above degrees have the Bachelor appellation as they remain undergraduate programmes. For Specific periods of posting to the department of Family Medicine. The obvious implication here is that, the Universities should create the Department of Family Medicine following their due process. The department of pharmacology would be redsignated to the department of pharmacology and therapeutics and is now expected to provide relevant basic clinical teaching and conduct relevant professional examination in Pharmacology. They will also be expected to provide relevant clinical teaching in Therapeutics. According to the NUC, proprietors of medical and dental schools in Nigeria (both current and prospective) are requested to note the following implementing steps including relevant adjustments relating to accreditation of Medical /dental schools From 1st September 2015, both current and prospective proprietors of Medical and Dental Schools should: a. Write a letter to the Executive Secretary stating their intent and provide relevant information as available. b. On receipt, (if NUC has no obvious reasons to disqualify the application), they would be sent a copy of the BMAS for MBBS/BDS and advised firmly to ensure that they are strictly complied with. c. The setting up of medical schools is not an emergency exercise. To this end, prospective proprietors must own and have in place (prior to a request for a Resource Verification), a fully functional and well run tertiary type hospital. In the circumstance of the above not being in place, consideration for an affiliation with a tertiary government owned institution may be given only when the said university owns a medical institution fully functional with a minimum of 150 beds and a rural health medical unit. (See Appendix 4 of the BMAS). d. APre-clinical Accreditation would be expected to take place within two years of a positive Resource Verification. Students can only sit for the second MBBS professional examination (Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry) when they have a successful preclinical accreditation. The preclinical accreditation would, amongst others, concentrate largely on the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology and to a lesser extent, Community Health. All evaluated departments must have the minimum requirements in terms of academic staff, non academic staff and laboratory facilities. (See Appendix 3 of the BMAS) e. The Commission has now approved a Clinical Accreditation expected to take place within twelve months of a successful preclinical accreditation. Subsequent to that, a reaccreditation exercise will take place every five years. 2. With respect to established medical schools, (and irrespective of their accreditation status), it should be noted that only institutions that (by the deadline of March 20th, 2016) have requested and obtained formal approval from the National Universities Commission for a re-evaluation based on the following considerations would be allowed to admit students into the MBBS/BDS programmes from the 2016/2017 academic year: a. All Medical and Dental schools must have an approved, and appropriately utilized, Clinical Skills/Simulation centre. b. Ensure strict adherence to the proper use of the course system for all approved programmes in Nigerian Universities. The implication of the above is that a particular programme (subject) is taught not only broken into cluster units of 1-4 but also have the components of university supervised examinations. For clarity, current end of posting examinations (practiced by some medical/dental schools) that neither have units allocated nor follow the standards of a University examination, do not conform to the Minimum Academic Standards as established by the National Universities Commission. c. Universities are strongly urged to immediately review their current methods of teaching medical and dental students to include more tutorials, self study group teaching, use of IT in the delivery of courses and simulation/competency based evaluations that must be signed by a lecturer not below the status of a senior lecturer. It must be noted that the confirmation of a successful simulation/competency based evaluation should be a mandatory requirement before the students are eligible to sit for the various professional/sessional examinations All Universities were advised to set in motion the machinery to achieve all of the above. Jude Chiedu, Reporting for Medicalworld Nigeria 1 Like |