‎Majority of foreign trained medical graduates fail MDCN exam – FG

​Nigerian government has decried the poor performance of foreign trained medical and dental graduates at the assessment of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at the induction of 243 successful medical doctors and six dental graduates that participated at the remedial course and assessment.

The examination was conducted at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) in Nov​ember​ 2017.

Adewole represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Clement Uwaifo expressed worry that of the 686 medical and 10 dental candidates who took the examination, only 249 were successful.

He, however, urged parents to be mindful of the kind of institutions they send their children or wards for medical training, adding that majority of those institutions were not listed in the world directory of medical training.

“The success of 243 out of 686 medical and six out of 10 dental foreign trained candidates at the remedial course and assessment examination of MDCN is worrisome.

“It is disheartening for me to hear that certain candidates are not able to pass the examination of the MDCN because the institutions are not listed in the world directory of medical schools.

“It is important that parents and prospective medical and dental students are well guided to prevent disappointment in foreign training that will lead to their not being able to get registered and practice in Nigeria,​”​ he said.

​Adewole urged the new inductees to apply advanced scientific knowledge and maintain commitment to medical education.

Adewole also advised them to make relevant information available to patients, colleagues and the public, to ensure quality and efficient health care delivery.

“I urge you to obtain consultation and use the talent of other health professionals when it is needed or necessary.​ ​Inductee​s​ must appreciate the need for referral of patients when it is required.

“Proper functioning of referral system can make for effective and efficient delivery of health services and failure to refer when such is necessary constitute professional misconduct,’’ Adewole said.