In Nigeria, before medical and dental graduates can practice, they must finish housemanship training. This phase, also referred to as clinical rotation or internship, is core to the top-level training. It offers them the opportunity to manage different medical and surgical units while being mentored by practicing physicians.
In an attempt to keep train graduates in a situational frame, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) comes up with a list of approved hospitals. Recognizing how important progressive medical education is as well as the clinical and supervisory quality, they provide this list of hospitals.
In this article, we will highlight the approved list of teaching hospitals by the MDCN, the value of undergoing housemanship at these hospitals, and the structure of the training process.
The Official MDCN Approved List of Teaching Hospitals for Housemanship
The following list is made up of federal and state-owned teaching hospitals which the MDCN consistently accredits for housemanship training. It is important to remember that the status of hospitals may change.
Hospitals may be placed on probation or have to face an accreditation suspension if they fail to meet the required standards during inspections by the MDCN. Therefore, while this list is accurate as of the date of this post, the most up-to-date list can always be verified by visiting the official MDCN site (https://mdcn.gov.ng) or by reaching out to the registrar of the council directly.
Federal University Teaching Hospitals
These are the flagship institutions, often the largest and most well-established, affiliated with federal universities.
- University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State – Often regarded as the premier teaching hospital in Nigeria, known for its high standards and rigorous training.
- Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos State – A massive center of excellence located in the heart of Nigeria’s commercial nerve center, offering exposure to an immense and diverse patient population.
- University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State – A pioneer in specialties like cardiothoracic surgery, providing a rich learning environment in the South-East.
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, Kaduna State – A major referral center for Northern Nigeria, offering broad clinical experience.
- University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State – Renowned for its orderliness and strong academic culture.
- University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A key center in the oil-rich Niger Delta, dealing with a unique set of industrial and trauma cases.
- Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State – A vast complex with a strong legacy of medical education.
- Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Sokoto State – A critical tertiary institution serving the North-Western region.
- University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State – Noted for its significant infrastructure development and growing reputation.
- Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Imo State (Affiliated with FUTO)
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, Bauchi State
- Federal University Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Gombe State
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State
- Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Katsina State
State University Teaching Hospitals
Many state governments have established high-quality teaching hospitals that are fully accredited by the MDCN.
- Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos State – A major competitor to LUTH, known for its high patient volume and excellent specialist services, located in a more accessible part of Lagos.
- Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, Delta State – A modern facility with state-of-the-art equipment.
- Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Ogun State – A key training ground for medical professionals in Ogun State.
- Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Benue State
- Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital (EBSUTH), Abakaliki, Ebonyi State
- Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
- Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu, Imo State
- Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Okolobiri, Bayelsa State
- Plateau State University Teaching Hospital (PSUTH), Jos, Plateau State (Also known as JUTH, though it’s a state institution)
- Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Rivers State – A relatively new but rapidly growing institution.
Specialist and Other Accredited Federal Centers
Some specialized federal health institutions are also accredited for housemanship, particularly for medical interns.
- National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State – Ideal for those with a strong interest in orthopaedics and trauma.
- National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos (LUTH) – While affiliated with LUTH, it operates as a specialist center for orthopaedics.
- Federal Medical Centres (FMCs): Several FMCs across the country are accredited for housemanship. Examples include FMC Abeokuta, FMC Umuahia, FMC Owerri, FMC Birnin Kudu, and FMC Makurdi. These centers often provide excellent training with a potentially less overwhelming structure than the large teaching hospitals.
DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE LIST HERE FROM MDCN
What is Housemanship Training?
Housemanship training is part of a one-year internship for Nigerian medical and dental graduates intending to fully license practice medicine in Nigeria. This practice is carried out in teaching hospitals, government hospitals, and accredited private hospitals that meet the standards of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
Housemanship allows interns the opportunity to gain experience in general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and various other segments of the healthcare system. This experience is invaluable to a young practitioner.
The goal of a housemanship year is to widen the interns’ exposure to different healthcare setups.
This helps in the enhancement of practical skills required in medicine, sound and timely decision-making, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with the patient and other healthcare providers.
Upon completing this training, interns acquire a certificate qualifying them to practice medicine in Nigeria.
The Housemanship year is the first important step a young practitioner takes, significantly boosting their self-confidence and increasing their chances of being employed.
Why is Housemanship Training Important?
In Nigeria, housemanship is very essential at this stage in a doctor’s career. This is for several reasons.
1. Practical Training
Housemanship enables medical and dental graduates to tie everything learned during school to actual practice. Interns get hands-on experience in managing real patients and are able to hone vital skills needed in diagnosing and treating patients.
2. Professional Licensing
The housemanship must be completed to get a professional license from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). Graduates cannot practice medicine in Nigeria legally without completing this mandatory internship year.
3. Specialization Afterwards
With the broad experience housemanship gives, medical interns are able to apply for specialized postgraduate training in different medical specialties. This experience is important for those aiming to focus on a specific area of medicine.
4. Improving Job Prospects
Work experience gained from housemanship is important for all new graduates. Interns who excel during their housemanship training are often rewarded with positions from the same teaching hospitals in Nigeria, and even from other healthcare institutions overseas.
The Application Process: How to Secure a Housemanship Slot
Obtaining a position for housemanship is a fierce competition. The steps involved include.
The MDCN Provisional License:- this is a prerequisite for applying and is obtained when you submit your academic documents, including the NYSC discharge certificate (if applicable) and other required documents as set by the MDCN.
Monitoring Vacancy Announcements:- housemanship positions are advertised on the hospitals’ websites, national newspapers, and job portal. It is important to be on the lookout for these and other means. Senior colleagues and consultants can also give you a heads up.
The Application- the application is usually done online and as required upload your documents to the portal of the hospital.
- Cover letter/CV
- Provisional License of MDCN
- Degree from the university
- NYSC Certificate
- Primary School Leaving Certificate
- Birth Certificate/Affidavit
- Recent passport photographs
The Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview. This can be a panel interview with the Chief Medical Director, Directors of Clinical Services, and Heads of Departments. Questions often focus on clinical scenarios, medical ethics, and your motivation for choosing that particular institution.
Conclusion – Medical And Dental Council Of Nigeria Approved List Of Teaching Hospitals For Housemanship Training
Housemanship training is formative to the education of medical and dental professionals in Nigeria. It is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) that regulates and accredits teaching hospitals to ensure the quality of housemanship training.
Each intern that decides to pursue housemanship training in any of the MDCN accredited teaching hospitals benefits from quality education and professional growth through the wide range of medical conditions they encounter and the experiences they gain.
Beginning a career in Nigeria’s medical and dental fields requires obtaining housemanship at a teaching hospital. This is an important milestone in the journey to becoming a fully certified professional.
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