A group of medical students from the University of Bristol have completed a one-month clinical elective program at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, and have described the experience as deeply enriching, eye-opening, and transformative for their medical training.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the students expressed heartfelt appreciation to the management and staff of FMC Abuja for their hospitality, support, and commitment to providing an engaging learning environment throughout the duration of their stay.
Tom Pemberton shared his gratitude, stating:
“I am very grateful to FMC for the opportunity of this placement. The management and staff have been most welcoming, and we have been shown great hospitality. By seeing a different healthcare system, we leave with a new perspective on our own. This experience has been incredibly valuable to our education as healthcare professionals, and I hope it marks the beginning of a fruitful exchange program that will benefit both Nigerian and British students.”
Noah Samuel, who spent most of his time with the Orthopaedic Department, also described the placement as a life-changing clinical experience.
“Firstly, I would like to express my gratefulness to all those at FMC Abuja for being such amazing hosts. Everyone was so welcoming and eager to get us involved, which truly elevated our experience.”
“My clinical knowledge was thoroughly tested through ward rounds, clinics, emergency cases, and time spent in theatres. I had the privilege of learning from incredible doctors and was even given the chance to be hands-on in patient care. Returning to the UK, I will certainly be changing aspects of my clinical practice based on what I have seen here.”
Adam Parkinson echoed similar sentiments and emphasized the significance of the program in shaping their medical worldview.
“Thank you very much to all of the team at FMC Abuja for welcoming us and providing the invaluable opportunity of this exchange program. Our month-long placement has allowed us to observe medicine in a different healthcare system for the first time in our careers.”
“We return to the UK with a deeper understanding of the Nigerian healthcare landscape and exposure to conditions that are less commonly seen back home. This experience has broadened our perspectives and will undoubtedly enrich our future medical practice.”
“We look forward to Nigerian medical students having a similar opportunity to visit the NHS in the near future and gain just as much from the exchange.”
The exchange program, a collaborative initiative between FMC Abuja and the University of Bristol, aims to promote cross-cultural learning, professional development, and mutual understanding between medical professionals across borders.
The management of FMC Abuja has welcomed the positive feedback and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing such international collaborations that foster knowledge exchange, global exposure, and improved healthcare delivery.
