Educational and Clinical Excellence in Medical Sciences: A Global Perspective
The College of Medical Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University
Although Ahmadu Bello University was established in 1962, the College of Medical Sciences came into being in 1967, the first of such in northern Nigeria. In 1961, the then Federal Government of Nigeria in a White Paper decided that by 1970 there would be a “full-fledged” College of Medical Sciences at Ahmadu Bello University. This was supported by the National Universities Commission in its report in 1963. On the 25th November 1966, the Council of the University approved establishment of the College of Medical Sciences and in 1967 as a single degree awarding College of Medical Sciences. The College of Medical Sciences has since grown to become the largest in this university; with a total of 17 departments.
Mission and Vision
Our Mission is to advance the frontiers of learning of Medicine and Medical Sciences, and break new grounds through teaching, research and dissemination of knowledge, to produce high-level medical professionals and enhance medical skills and disease diagnosis and treatment capability through retraining, in order to meet the needs and health challenges of the catchment area, Nigeria and beyond.
The Vision of the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University shall be a world-class College of Medicine comparable to any College of Medicine actively engaged in imparting contemporary knowledge, using high quality equipment, to students of Medicine and Medical Sciences using modern approaches, as well as improving the health status of its immediate community, Nigeria and beyond, through innovative research and training.
Institutional Core Values
The values of the Ahmadu Bello University College of Medical Sciences include:
- Health and well-being of all persons
- Integrity and honesty
- Lifelong learning
- Creativity and discovery
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Cultural and intellectual diversity
- Service, care, and sensitivity to others
- Recognition of and respect for high-quality work
- Collaboration and teamwork
Facilities and Infrastructure
The pre-clinical complex was commissioned in 1982 (and named after the then Vice Chancellor, Professor Ishaya Audu, himself a Medical Doctor) with the aim of providing facilities to train 150 Medical Students and 50 Dental students. The Clinical Complex is currently situated at the Teaching Hospital in Shika – a distance of about five kilometres from the preclinical complex since 2005.
The Abu Dhabi Healthcare Sector and SEHA Network
Abu Dhabi’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector consists of both public and private hospitals and clinics. PureHealth is the UAE’s largest integrated healthcare platform, covering hospitals, clinics, diagnostics, insurance, pharmacies, health-tech, procurement and more. Pure Health’s network of healthcare facilities across Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates comprises SEHA – Abu Dhabi Health Services Company—one of the largest healthcare networks of hospitals and clinics in the UAE. The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC—SEHA—is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public health care system in Abu Dhabi.
Major Hospital Facilities in Abu Dhabi
Key institutions within the network include the following centers of excellence:
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC): One of the UAE’s largest tertiary government hospitals. It is a 742-bed medical complex that has 30 different specialties and employs the most advanced medical diagnostic equipment and devices.
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC): A flagship tertiary government hospital in the UAE and the largest teaching medical centre in Abu Dhabi. SKMC comprises a 441-bed acute care hospital and 16 outpatient specialty clinics, and it also has the largest paediatric medical centre in the UAE.
- Corniche Hospital: The most-trusted and leading referral centre for Women and Newborn care in Abu Dhabi, with a legacy of over 46 years and a 180-bed facility.
- NMC Royal Hospital: This hospital is built to accommodate 500 beds and serves as a tertiary referral center with 24 hours emergency services.
- Healthpoint: A premium hospital with three specialty centers – the Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery Centre, the Dentistry Clinic and Musculoskeletal.
Overview of Hospital Capacity and Specialties
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City: 742 beds, 30 different specialties, 18 Operating Theatres.
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City: 441 beds, 16 outpatient specialty clinics, 125-bed Behavioral Sciences Pavilion.
- NMC Royal Hospital: 500 beds, serves Khalifa City and surrounding suburbs.
- Corniche Hospital: 180 beds, specialized in Women and Newborn care.
Clinical Success and Advanced Treatment
SEHA recently announced the successful treatment and recovery of an 11-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a rare and serious craniofacial infection at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC). The patient developed osteomyelitis of the frontal bone and a swelling known as Pott’s puffy tumour, complicated by a subperiosteal abscess and an intracranial extradural abscess, requiring urgent, highly specialised surgical care. Under the expert care of Dr. Remon Bazak, Consultant Otolaryngologist at SKMC, the surgery was successful. The patient’s pain resolved, her energy returned, and her forehead was reconstructed with excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes.