Where I am from, a large chunk of people are absolutely clueless on the workings of the medical world. Many of them think doctors are one and the same. They also feel that doctors are walking encyclopedias, with supernatural abilities to manage any and every medical condition presented to them.
No bra! The human body is far too complicated for that to ever work. Do you know how great the master mind behind our human anatomy is?
Glory to God! He remains the custodian of all wisdom
So how could a single human possibly have such unfathomable abilities?
No be juju be that?
Abeg o there is something called Medical specialization. We are going to discuss this in detail shortly.
How do you become a Medical doctor in this Nigeria?
If you don’t know, I’ll give you a quick summary.
You see, during the final year of secondary school (Senior Secondary 3), all students probably have a good idea of what career opportunities they would like to pursue.
Those that would later go on to become medical doctors would have studied science related courses from the Senior Secondary 1 level.
They then take the West Africa Examination council exams (WEAC or NECO alike) in those related science courses at the Senior Secondary 3 level.
That’s not all, these students also sit for the JAMB and Post Utme examinations in the core science courses, including English Language. It is very essential to get super high scores in these examinations.
WHY?
Well, it’s because this course called Medicine is overly competitive. Just to be clear, some of us didn’t exactly follow the regular path.
Yes, I took the WAEC exams (aced it by the way against all odds to the glory of God!) but my JAMB and Post Utme scores though!
Let’s just say “Ko Jo” for Medicine.
When Jamb wasn’t jamming, I took the one-year Diploma course. This course was really expensive. I am overly grateful to my parents for bearing the cost.
After exceling at the one year program, I was allowed to transition into the 2nd year of medical school without losing the first year.
So ideally guys, you are to spend SIX, humble years in Med school and pass all your exams, especially the finals before getting the celebrated “Dr” prefix.
NB- Let me just chip in, that some students spend extra painful years in school, owing to either failed exams or the currently failing education system.
That being said, after the glitz and glam of induction, every fresh graduate doctor is expected to partake in a mandatory one year internship programme, to “solidify” and “practicalize” their knowledge base.
Thereafter, they are called to serve their “Motherland” for another year. Once the youth service program is completed, a young doctor can then either decide to further his/her medical career, or remain a Medical officer if they have no zeal for residency.
Oh, by the way Residency is a five year plus programme designed to mold doctors into specialists.
Oh! You thought the learning process was over? Nope! We are just getting started.
To spell it out and make it crystal clear, a Medical officer is a doctor who is expected to manage uncomplicated cases and refer the high falloting cases to “SPECIALISTS.”
I hope you saw that I put that in bold!
Y’all there is specialization in Medicine, but some coconut head Medical officers refuse to acknowledge that further training is required to manage certain cases or to carry out certain procedures.
Instead, some of these, permit me to say “DANGEROUS” doctors go around causing trouble and performing all sorts of miraculous wonders.
It is well o!
I wouldn’t want this post looking like an encyclopedia to avoid chasing you away.
I would therefore be splitting it. The next medical post would be a breakdown of the different specialties and specialists available in the medical world. This I am certain would keep you informed, so you don’t fall into the hands of the “Dangerous doctors.”
Do well to check back peeps.
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