SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — Medical students at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) will be required to undertake a one year ‘medical internship’ after their graduation, the Health Minister Dr Richard Sezibera has said.

Speaking to students and staff at the Faculty of Medicine on Monday, Sezibera said that the changes will give students ample time to concentrate on their internship after which they will be given or denied licences to practice medicine in the country.

"This should be seen as an opportunity for you to put into practice what you learnt while at medical school. Your supervisors will have ample time to evaluate your performances as they prepare you for the task ahead,” said Sezibera.

Medical internship is a one- year period of intensive practice to every medical doctor who obtains a bachelors degree in general medicine under the supervision of doctors who have attained the level of a specialist/consultant.

Contrary to the earlier practice where students did medical internship concurrently during their course, the change means that the students’ internship will be done after graduation.

"As medical students your motivation should be to serve others. You should learn the art of dealing with people because it is an important aspect in medicine,” said the Minister.

In an earlier meeting with faculty staff, Dr Sezibera hinted on the possibility of merging all educational institutions dealing with medical training in the country.

Speaking during the meeting with faculty staff, the NUR Rector Professor Silas Lwakabamba said that the faculty was wanting in terms of staff and equipment.

"We have gaps in the teaching staff, technicians and equipment for our students,” said Lwakabamba.

Sezibera requested authorities at NUR to use the available resources profitably as government works on filling the gaps at the university.

He urged staff at the Faculty of Medicine to be conscious of the quality of doctors they produce, pointing out that there is need for curriculum review because the foundation for basic sciences in the country has been seen to be lacking.

The NUR’s Faculty of Medicine has 540 students, 280 of them studying pharmacy.

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