The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has issued a strong reminder to the medical community regarding the legal status and responsibilities of House Officers in the country.
In a letter dated July 19, 2024, addressed to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Fatima Kyari, the Registrar of the MDCN, emphasised that House Officers, though integral to the medical field, are not yet fully qualified doctors.
The letter clearly outlines that House Officers are provisionally registered under sections 11(2)(a) and 12(1) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act.
This provisional status grants them recognition as doctors solely for the purpose of acquiring the Certificate of Experience, which is a prerequisite for full registration.
However, beyond this purpose, they are not to be considered full-fledged medical practitioners.
The MDCN’s communication comes amidst growing concerns over the role and status of House Officers, especially as they navigate their mandatory internship year, known as Housemanship.
This period is critical for young doctors, who work under the supervision of more experienced medical professionals, including registrars and consultants.
Their tasks range from patient care, such as taking blood samples and administering medications, to more hands-on procedures like securing IV access.
Despite the significant responsibilities they shoulder, the MDCN has made it clear that House Officers do not possess the same rights or status as fully registered doctors.
This distinction is crucial, as it also means they are not subject to disciplinary actions by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigation Panel (MDPIP) or the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Disciplinary Tribunal (MDPDT).
These disciplinary bodies are reserved for fully registered practitioners who have completed their Housemanship and obtained their Certificate of Experience.
In the letter, Dr. Kyari also addressed an issue that has been a point of contention within the medical community: the pressure on House Officers to join professional associations such as the NMA or the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of association, the MDCN stressed that no House Officer should be coerced into joining these organizations.
The Council’s stance is clear: House Officers who choose to actively participate in the activities of the NMA or NARD could find themselves at risk of jeopardizing their path to full registration.
The statement stresses the importance of House Officers focusing on their training and adhering strictly to the guidelines set by the MDCN to avoid any potential setbacks in their careers.
The MDCN’s recent clarification seeks to prevent any misunderstandings about the roles and limitations of House Officers in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Council’s intention is to ensure that both House Officers and the institutions employing them understand the provisional nature of their status.
Medical education in Nigeria is a rigorous process, typically spanning six years of academic study, followed by the compulsory one-year Housemanship.
During this internship, House Officers operate under a provisional license, which is contingent on them meeting specific performance standards.
Their ability to obtain full registration as doctors depends on their successful completion of this training period and the subsequent issuance of the Certificate of Experience.
