Family medicine is a branch of medicine that specializes in comprehensive healthcare for individuals and families. In Nigeria, family medicine became a recognized medical specialty in 1981. To become a family doctor in Nigeria, one must complete an MBBS degree and one-year internship, then have the option to complete a four-year residency program to specialize in family medicine. The routine childhood vaccination schedule in Nigeria includes BCG, OPV, DPT, hepatitis B, measles, yellow fever, and vitamin A vaccines administered at various intervals from birth to age two.

1. z
FAMILY MEDICINE IN
NIGERIA
Omoregie Iyobosa Sonia
Kyiv medical university (kmu)

2. z
What is family medicine?
This is a branch of medicine which specializes in the knowledge of the managing health of
an individual in a family unit
What is family medicine in Nigeria?
It is a branch of medical specialty which is competent to identify family health problems and
effectively manage such undifferentiated diseases within the context of the patients family.
This is available in the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of medical care in Nigeria and
Africa in general

3. zFamily medicine is the medical disciple also known as general practive, general medical practice,
family practive or primary care.
It is concerned with the holistic approach to patient care ein which the individual is seen in his totality
and in the context of his family and community. It is a disciple which integrates several medical
specialties into a new whole.
Family medicine practice consits of three core areas: Primary care, Health facility Care and Family
care, Fig 1
Primary Care: consists of two areas of care, primary medical care which refers to all care delivered at
the point of first contact with the health care system and primary health care which is an essential
healthcare based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods of care within the
community and the country.
Hospital and Clinic care ( facility –based care) : Cordinates the health care in facilities expecially
in under served and difficult to reach populations.

4. z
FAMILY
PHYSICIAN
FAMILY CARE
PRIMARY CARE
HEALTH
FACILITY CARE
Figure !: The three core areas of family medicine

5. z
Family Care and Family Dynamics – Central to the practice of family medicine is the understanding
of the concept of what the family is ant its important interplay between family dynamics and the
health of family members.
Doctors have been working as generalists in primary car in Africa and Nigeria, and in rural hospitals
without any further training, Since the start of 19th century. In Nigeria, postgraduate training in family
medicine began in 1981 and its now a recognized specialty.
HOW TO BECOME A FAMILY DOCTOR OR GENERAL PRACTITIONEER IN NIGERIA
 To become a family doctor in the Federal Republic of Nigeria , one must complete at least 6
years training in General Medicine and Surgery and be award an MBBS degree. After the
completion of an MBBS the graduate doctor then posted my the Medical and dental council of
Nigeria to an accredited federal, state or teaching hospital to complete a 1 year Paid
Internship/housemanship of about 400$- 500$ a month.

6. z
 After the success end of Internship, the doctors are then posted by the NYSC
 Also know as National Youth Corps Service for a one year paid service to the government. During
this one year service doctors are expected to go for a 3 weeks paramilitary training after that,
doctors are posted to mostly rural areas to serve the underserved with a payment of about 500$ to
700 $ a month.
 At the end of the service year the doctor is skilled at common diseases experienced in large city
hospitals and rural areas.
 A doctor interested in specializing in Family medicine can apply to the National Postgraduate
Medical College of Nigeria and sit for the primaries.
 A student who successfully passes the primaries and with good recommendation letters from
professors or doctors during his internship can me matched for a residency program.

7. z
 Limited sits are available nationwide for residency programs , and successful applicants are posted
according to the top chosen specialty as well as their locations.
 Only Federal, government or teaching hospitals are accredited to train students in post graduate
residency.
 It takes a total of at least 4 years of full time training in the general medicine field to become a
specialist in that field. The doctors are expected to fulfil clinical rotations, research work and cover
different course works including managing undifferentiated diseases.
 To possess the attitude, skills and knowledge that will meet world standard in soundness of
preventive service and care deliver in family.
 At the end of the four years student are expected to pass the board certification exams. After
successfully completing that the doctor is deemed a specialists in Family medicine or a Family
Medicine doctor.

8. z
VACCINATION IN NIGERIA
Immunization is aimed at the prevention of infectious diseases. With a population of about 200 million
people vaccination is essential in keeping a healthy population.
 According to the National Programme on Immunization , routine immunization of children in
Nigeria is carried out using the following vaccines;
 • BCG ( Bacilli Calmette Guerin)—at birth or as soon as possible after birth
 • OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)—at birth and at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age
 • DPT (Diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus)—at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age
 • Hepatitis B—at birth, 6 and 14 weeks
 • Measles—at 9 months of age
 • Yellow Fever—at 9 months of age
 • Vitamin A—at 9 months and 15 months of age

9. z
 According to the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health definition, a child is considered fully vaccinated
if he or she has received a BCG vaccination against tuberculosis; three doses of DPT to prevent
diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus; at least three doses of polio vaccine; and one
dose of measles vaccine. All these vaccinations should be received during the first year of life, over
the course of five visits, including the doses delivered at birth. According to this schedule, children
aged 12–23 months would have completed their immunizations and be fully immunized. To keep
track of the delivery of these immunizations, Nigeria also provides parents or guardians with a
health card on which each dose is recorded.

10. z
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME