Medical school in Uganda

As of 2021, 11 universities in Uganda offer medical schools. Admission to medical school requires the candidate to have attained a Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) as well as proficiency in Biology or Zoology, Chemistry and Physics at A-level standards. Training leading to the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) lasts five years. Major examinations are conducted after the first, second and fifth year, with additional evaluations after each clinical rotation. After successful completion of the fifth year, candidates complete a year of internship under the supervision of specialists. Postgraduate training is available at Makerere University School of Medicine and other Public and Private Universities in a number of medical and surgical disciplines. The training takes three to four years and leads to the Master of Medicine (MMed) degree. The East, Central and Southern Africa College of Health Sciences (ECSA CHS) is nowadays another alternative postgraduate training pathway in Uganda, such as Membership [MCS (ECSA)] and Fellowship [FCS (ECSA)] of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA); as well as in Internal Medicine through the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP) and the College of Obstetrics and Gynecology of East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSACOG) for Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Medical schools

As of October 2018 there are eleven recognized medical schools in Uganda.[1]

Public universities

Private universities

Admission

Admission to medical school in Uganda requires the candidate to have attained the pre-requisite minimum score on the A-level national examinations leading to the award of the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education or UACE, administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). Proficiency in Biology or Zoology, Chemistry and Physics at A-level standards are requirements for entry into Ugandan medical schools.

Medical training

Training leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) lasts five (5) years, if there are no re-takes.

Examinations

There is a major examination after the first year. If the candidate does not pass, the candidate will repeat first year. Another major examination is given after second year. A failing candidate will have to repeat second year. After each clinical rotation, the candidate is examined and failing candidates are required to repeat that rotation during the next vacation period.

The last major examination is the final 5th Year MBChB examination. This is divided into three parts:

  • A written Examination in each of the following disciplines: Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • A bedside clinical examination with living patients, involving a "long case" and a series of "short cases" in each of the four specialties.
  • An oral examination (also called a "viva"), before two clinical examiners, in each of the four subjects.

The final year clinical examinations in each of the four clinical disciplines are attended by an "External Examiner", often a professor of International or Regional repute, from a foreign medical school. The examiners arrange it so that the excelling students and those who are on the verge of failing are seen by the External Examiner in at least one of the clinical face-to-face encounters. So if you are a candidate and you go before the "External Examiner", it usually means that you are either excelling in your field or you are on the verge of failing that subject.

Internship

After successfully passing the final 5th year examinations, one is awarded the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). A year of internship in a hospital designated for that purpose, under the supervision of a specialist in that discipline is required before an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery is granted by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council. Six months of the internship must be spent in a medical discipline (either Internal Medicine or Pediatrics) and another six months in a surgical discipline (either Surgery or Obstetrics and Gynecology).

Internship hospitals

The following hospitals are designated "Internship Hospitals" in Uganda, provided there is a specialist in the required field willing to supervise the intern at the particular hospital:

Postgraduate training

Specialization training, lasting three years, (provided there are no re-takes), leading to the award of the degree of Master of Medicine (MMed) in the particular discipline is available at Makerere University School of Medicine in the following disciplines: (both medical and surgical disciplines award the MMed)

Makerere University School of Public Health, located on Mulago Hill, offers the degree of Master of Public Health (MPH) following a 22-month period of study which includes field work.[11]

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded following a period of instruction, research and examination (typically three to five years), in select clinical disciplines. A recognized master's degree is required prior to admission into the PhD program.

See also

References
  1. UMDPC (2017). "Resources: Medical Schools". Kampala: Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  2. Anne Mugisa (7 August 2013). "Busitema University to get medical school". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  3. Mujuni, David (27 March 2018). "Kabale University School Of Medicine Strike Over High Tuition". Kampala: Campus Bee Uganda. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  4. Ojore, Godfrey (1 August 2018). "Soroti University not opening this academic year: Muyingo". New Vision. Kampala.
  5. Natukunda, Carol (29 August 2007). "KIU medical school accredited". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  6. Ssenkabirwa, Al-Mahdi (3 October 2014). "Islamic University Opens Doors for Medical Students In Kibuli". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  7. Badagawa, Philimon (7 December 2017). "Courses offered at St. Augustine International University". Kampala: Campus Times Uganda. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  8. Clarke International University (1 October 2018). "Undergraduate Programs At Clarke International University". Kampala: Clarke International University. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  9. Sandra Janet Birungi (21 September 2014). "Uganda Martyrs University Opens (Postgraduate) Medical School". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  10. Tumuheire, Agnes (13 September 2018). "Uganda Christian University To Launch School Of Medicine (UCUSoM)". Kampala: Campus Times Uganda. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  11. Administrator (1 October 2018). "Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda". Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Encinitas, California: MPHProgramList.com. Retrieved 1 October 2018.

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