Medicine is the science and “art” of maintaining and/or restoring health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of patients (i.e. Humans and Animals). The term is derived from the Latin word ‘ars medicina’, meaning the art of healing.
Contemporary medicine applies health science, biomedical research, and medical technology to diagnose and treat injury and disease, typically through medication, surgery, or other form of therapy.
A person who studies medicine is called a Medical Doctor.
Branches of Medicine and Surgery
Surgery- is a branch that uses operative, manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition, such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance, or sometimes for other reasons.
Gynaecology- a branch that deals with diseases and routine physical care of women’s reproductive system.
Cardiology- is a branch that deals with the heart, its actions and diseases.
Paediatrics – is a branch that deals with children’s development, care and diseases.
Radiology is a branch concerned with using radiant energy (such as X-rays) or radioactive materials in diagnosing and treating diseases.
Universities in Nigeria awarding MBBS
- Ambrose Ali University
- ABSU
- Ahmadu Bello University
- Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti
- University of Abuja
- Babcock University
- Bayero University Kano
- University of Benin
- BINGHAM
- Bowen University
- BSU
- COOU
- University of Calabar
- Delta State University
- Ebonyi State University
- EKSU
- ESUTECH
- GREGORY
- GSU
- University of Ibadan
- IGBINEDION
- University of Ilorin
- Imo State University
- University of Jos
- KSU
- University of Lagos
- Lagos State University
- Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
- Madonna University
- University of Maiduguri
- Niger Delta University
- NTNU
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- Olabisi Onabanjo University
- OSUMS
- University of Port-Harcourt
- Usman Danfodio University
- UNIOSUN
- Nnmadi Azikwe University
- University of Nigeria
- University of Uyo
Out of the above Universities, I will pick out the top medical Universities.
Top Medical Schools in Nigeria
- University of Ibadan (UI)
- Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU IFE)
- University Of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
- Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU Zaria)
- University Of Lagos (UNILAG)
- University of Benin (Great UNIBEN)
- Lagos State University (LASU)
- University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)
- Delta State University Abraka (DELSU)
- Niger Delta University (NDU)
JAMB subject combination for Medicine
- English Language
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
I advise prospective students to aim to score more than 250 in UTME to secure admission to study medicine.
To study the above course, you must have at least five credits, which must include
- Mathematics
- English
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Duration
Medicine and Surgery is one the best most competitive medical courses to get access to in Nigeria. However, candidates who made the core admission requirements are offered admission into 6 or 5-year program depending on Mode of entry (UTME or DE). After the 6 years, you will do one (1) year house job.
That is why most people say it will take you 7 years to study medicine and surgery in Nigeria if your mode of admission is UTME and 6 years if it is Direct Entry.
CHALLENGES OF THE PROFESSION
- The profession is very time-consuming.
- Risk to life (i.e., from patients’ family members) in case of the inability to save a patient’s life.
- Risk of exposure to certain infectious diseases, e.g. HIV, even as Doctors
- Risk of exposure to radiation in the case of Radiology.
Read: Medical Related Courses that can make you study Medicine and Surgery
The above link details the alternative courses that can help you study medicine. It was written for those who may have to change their course because they were not initially offered admission to study medicine.
If you are looking for a true story of a candidate’s steps to secure his place at OOU to study medicine and surgery, this link gives you the story. How I Was Offered Admission To Study Medicine And Surgery in OOU.
