Looking for a place for House Job in Nigeria?

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that everyone already knows the situation of things in Nigeria, and there is no point over-flogging the issue of difficulty in getting house job, as a newly-grad doctor .
Few points are worth mentioning-

•New doctors graduate at different times in the year and almost at each time there is usually at least one hospital somewhere in Nigeria calling for applications.
•It is important also to mention that one does not necessarily have to wait for swearing-in/induction ceremony before one can start applying. However this does not apply in some centers, where demand is specifically made for MDCN temporary license gotten on being sworn in. Otherwise, one can apply with statement of result from the med school though the license usually must be submitted either at the interview venue or before resumption of work, as the case may be.
 •One does not have to be too parochial in thoughts when looking for house job position. Have an open mind. Don't use "must". For example, "I must work in the north, east, a certain hospital, etc". Be open-minded. Work no dey Naija. Another example- "my parents want me to stay around". This may not help, especially if such parents do not have solid connections.
 •Unfortunately, knowing someone somewhere in the upper echelons of power might be of good help; though, in all fairness, there are many people that land good house job positions without even knowing an attendant in the hospital in question. Therefore, merit may count at times.
 •However know ye today that as a doctor most questions that you find hard should, expectedly, be hard for someone else taking the same test, whether a job interview or PLAB or Primaries. Also same applies to simple questions. What might make a difference is "how much residuals do you have?" Reading overnight for an interview may be helpful, but ask questions lest you start reading the pathway for lipid synthesis. I've never heard anyone being asked such in an interview.
 •The questions that are set for the tests vary from Hospital to the other, from Emergencies (in Ped, O&G, Med &Surg) through Current Affairs, through IQ tests. Ask a house officer already working there for info.
 •Some hospitals organize only written interviews while some do both oral and written. That means that if there is an oral aspect, the interview might be prolonged, usually taking more than a day. In some places, like National Hospital only a fraction of those that sit for the written test are called for oral interview. In some others, like FMC Abakiliki, everyone that takes the written test may be called for oral interviews.
 •Most written tests usually assess medical knowledge and skills in handling Emergencies, like as in UATH, Abuja; while most oral interviews assess general knowledge. Did you live a triangular life in school? Now start knowing about the senators or the name of Obama's dog (as someone was asked in UNTH), or the head of ECOWAS (as someone failed in FMC Abakiliki). The above may not apply everywhere, though. UPTH were said to have asked the full meaning of an acronym that stands for a popular government parastatal, in the written test, in addition to sections with core medical questions. If merit were to be followed I guess such general questions would make the much needed difference between geeks and balanced med docs.
 •Finally, it's been noticed that most residents actually did their house jobs in the same institutions where they now train. So it might be good to put that into consideration [for those interested though]
 •One needs ask oneself what one wants from house job- money or skills. If money weighs higher, one may consider centers in Lagos, where one can combine house job and some PP which abound in the state. Abuja is a no-go area if one is interested in PP. There are not many PP avenues.
 •There are many other factors and tips that with time we'll get to learn from interaction, or figure out ourselves.


SOUTH EAST


UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla

Variable, usually between May and July


NAUTH, Nnewi

August / September


ESUTH, Parklane, Enugu

June/July


FMC, Abakaliki

February /March


EBSUTH

February, with pulses through the year


ABSUTH

Variable, took in February 2010; not advisable though


FMC, Owerri

December – February


FMC, Umuahia

Usually mid-year


Gen Hosp, Owerri

Variable, took in March 2010


Gen Hosp, Onitsha

Unreliable; visit the State Min of Health; not advisable, though



WEST


UCH, Ibadan

Variable; almost year-round


UITH, Ilorin
June/July


LUTH

November/December/January


LASUTH

February/ March


FMC, EButte-Metta

March, August


Airforce Hospital, Lagos

February


Military Hospital, Yaba

April/May/June; supernumerary work available


Havana Hospital, Lagos

Variable, took in December 2009


Naval Hospital, Ikeja

Around February


OOUTH, Ogun State

Not specific; usually rhymes with when new docs graduate


FMC, Owo, Ondo State

June/July


OAUTH, Ife

Variable, usually rhymes with when med students graduate; 2011 will likely be in August


FMC Abeokuta, Ogun State

Took new HOs June 2010


Eko Hospital

August; clashed with LUTH interview last year



SOUTH-SOUTH


UPTH, Port Harcourt

February/ March


UCTH, Calabar

February/ March


UUTH, Uyo

February/March/April


UBTH, Benin

August, April


FMC, Asaba

October/ November


FMC, Bayelsa

? January/ February



NORTH


UATH, Abuja

February/ March, June/July


National Hospital, Abuja

October/ November


UJTH, Jos

February, ?August; February date clashed with UATH interview in 2010


State House Clinic, Abuja

November


FMC, Katsina

October, February


UDUTH, Sokoto

?February


ABUTH, Zaria

March/April, October; in 2010


AKTH, Kano


UMTH, Maiduguri


FMC, Gombe


FMC, Keffi

April/May


ECWA, Jos

No specific time; takes very few HOs


FCDA Hospitals, Abuja- Maitama General, Wuse, Garki, etc

Usually variable . Apply at FCDA Secretariat, around February. You may not be able to decide which of the General Hospitals to be posted to.


FMC, Makurdi

February

In due course, the list will be more populated and updated.
It is noteworthy that some hospitals, even after a major intake, will continue employing more house officers in pulses, almost throughout the year; to replace ones that have either resigned or absconded, and to ingratiate some people in high places.
It's time to say enough of all this long talk.
Good luck, Docs, and enjoy your CONMESS