162 Nigerian Doctors Licensed in the UK in 42 Days

The United Kingdom (UK) has licensed 162 Nigerian doctors in the past 42 days, according to a report. The report cites the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), which confirmed the news that the doctors were certified as having met the General Medical Council (GMC) criteria for the practice of medicine in the UK. The GMC, which is the body responsible for setting the standards for doctors in the UK, has a comprehensive process for evaluating medical qualifications from other countries. Nigerian doctors are among the largest groups of foreign-trained doctors in the UK and are therefore subject to this process. Accordingly, the certification process can take up to six months or longer, which can be a significant challenge for doctors who need to start work immediately. However, recent development shows that the process has been streamlined, which is a significant improvement. 

This news is particularly welcome in light of the ongoing medical staffing shortages faced by the NHS in the UK. With over 40,000 vacancies for nurses and over 10,000 doctor vacancies, the recruitment of trained medical professionals from overseas is crucial to the functioning of the healthcare system in the country. It is expected that licensed Nigerian doctors will make significant contributions to the UK healthcare system, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.