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433 foreign-trained medical Doctors fail MDCN qualifying exam

Published by Fakinlede Tope John on November 28th, 2023.

433 foreign-trained medical Doctors fail MDCN qualifying exam

It has been reported that out of 836 foreign-trained medical graduates who took the qualifying examination organized by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, 433 did not pass.

The qualifying examination took place at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on November 22 and 23, 2023.

The assessment for the foreign-trained medical graduates was conducted in a Computer Based Test format with the examination held in four different centers: BMG Institute of Information Technology, JAMB Professional Test Centre, Kano Cooperative CBT Centre, and Treztech, all in Kano State.

The examination included a computer-based test, a picture-based test, and an objective structural clinical examination.

It was observed that most of the medical and dental graduates performed poorly in the CBT.

A list of shortlisted candidates in Abuja showed that a total of 836 candidates with medical degrees from foreign universities were selected for the examination initially. However, only 403 candidates passed, according to the results obtained on Monday.

Every year, numerous Nigerians pursue medical degrees abroad, investing heavily in tuition and accommodation fees and dedicating between four to seven years to their studies. Some popular destinations for Nigerians studying medicine include Ukraine, Sudan, Cyprus, Egypt, The Caribbean, Russia, Belarus, India, Hungary, Guyana, Niger Republic, and Benin Republic. Upon completion of their studies, they must pass the MDCN assessment to obtain a license to practice in Nigeria.

The MDCN is responsible for regulating the practice of Medicine, Dentistry, and Alternative Medicine in the country to protect the nation’s healthcare system.

The MDCN administers the assessment twice a year, examining the candidates’ ability to apply their basic medical sciences and clinical skills in a healthcare setting. In a recent interview with NewsNow, the MDCN Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, mentioned that the assessment examination aligns with global practice.