51% of foreign-trained doctors fail qualifying exam they are not trained for
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Up to 433 of the 836 foreign-trained medical graduates (51 per cent) failed the latest qualifying examination conducted by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) between 22 and 23 November 2023.
It has been explained, however, that foreign-trained doctors fail qualifying examination in Nigeria mainly because their medical course abroad is different from the medical course in Nigeria which focuses on local health conditions.
The MDCN examination was held at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), and they were assessed on Computer Based Test (CBT) format at four centres – BMG Institute of Information Technology; JAMB Professional Test Centre; Cooperative CBT Centre and Treztech, all in Kano State.
The examination comprises a computer-based test, a picture-based test, and an objective structural clinical examination.
It was learnt most of the medical and dental graduates performed poorly, per reporting by The PUNCH.
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Nigerians troop abroad for medical degrees
Every year, thousands of Nigerians aspiring to become medical doctors and dentists enrol in foreign universities, spend a fortune on tuition and accommodation, and study for between four and seven years to obtain a bachelor of medicine or bachelor of surgery.
Their favourite destinations include Ukraine, Sudan, Cyprus, Egypt, The Caribbean, Russia, Belarus, India, Hungary, Guyana, Niger Republic, and Benin Republic.
But after completing their studies, they are required to pass the MDCN examination to get a licence to practise in Nigeria.
The MDCN regulates the practice of medicine, dentistry, and alternative medicine to safeguard the national healthcare system.
It conducts assessment twice a year to test candidates’ ability to apply their basic medical sciences and clinical skills in a healthcare setting, which MDCN Registrar Tajudeen Sanusi explained is a global practice.