INSTITUTE OF MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH
BACKGROUND
Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), University of Nigeria Nsukka was established in the year 2015 as one of the three (3) new institutes in the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla campus.
In line with the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria at improving Maternal and Child health in Nigeria, and to reduce the unacceptably high maternal mortality ratio and under-five mortality, the Senate of University of Nigeria under the leadership of the then Vice Chancellor Professor Benjamin Ozumba established IMCH for human capital development and to help advance research in women and child health. The result of such research will help in policy development and promote evidence-based practices in maternal and child care. The institute is also positioned to offer inter-disciplinary training in research, policy, theory and practice; relevant in addressing the health needs of women, infants, children, adolescents and their families in Nigeria.
The pioneer director of the institute was Professor Henrietta U. Okafor. The current Director of the Institute is Prof. Euzebus Chinonye Ezugwu, a professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Bioethicist. The institute aims to foster health research, post graduate training and community services in the area of women and child health.
VISION
To be world class Institute that will advance research in women and child conditions in the tropics, the result of which will inform policies and evidence-based practices in this area of medicine. Also, to produce adequate manpower necessary to implement and drive these policies and practices.
MISION
To provide interdisciplinary training in research, policy, theory and practice relevant to health problems and services for women, infants, children, adolescents and their families
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTITUTE INCLUDE:
The Senate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka approved the establishment of the Institute of Maternal and Child Health with the following objectives:
- To undertake research in the area of Women and Child Health – the IMCH through her research management office (RMO) seeks funding and collaboration with relevant sponsors and institutions.
- To organise Postgraduate academic training programmes- Diploma, MSc, and PhD as approved by the senate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- To organize short certificate courses/ training workshops in women and child health, grant writing, research management, medical ethics, etc
- Community services- health promotion activities relevant to women and child health including clinical duties, health outreaches, media presentation etc
- Other activities that advance the promotion of women and child health in Nigeria as may be approved by the Institute’s administrative board.
In March 2016, the Institute received approval from the University of Nigeria Senate to offer postgraduate degree programmes thus:
- MSC and Ph. D in Human Reproduction and Women Health
- MSC and Ph. D in Tropical Paediatrics
These programmes are designed for medical doctors with specialist certifications (at least part-one fellowship/ Membership) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Paediatrics respectively. These postgraduate medical fellowships must be registrable with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. The respective specialist can be admitted to straight MSc/PhD programmes. Also, highly motivated specialist in related clinical areas may be admitted into the programmes but, they not eligible for the MSC/PHD programmes of the Institute- the complete MSC experience is critical for this group of students. Detailed entry requirement and programmes curricula are specified in the relevant sections.
The first set of students were admitted in 2016-2017 academic session. Since then, new sets of students are admitted per session. Eligible members of the pioneer students defended their MSC dissertation in 2019.
BRIEF ACHIEVEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE
The Institute, to actualise its mandate, has carried out the following activities in line with the mission and vision of the founding fathers
- The Institute has graduated 31 MSc students and 5 PhD Students in the area of women and child health. Currently, three PhD and 2 MSc candidates are awaiting their thesis and dissertation defence. These are men and women who have been equipped with the capacity to effect positive changes in the Nigeria health system.
- The institute organised workshop on Basic practical skills in Obstetrics in collaboration with Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG), London UK. in 2021 and 2023 respectively. The workshops were well attended by Medical Officers from all over the country. They were taught basic live saving skills in Obstetric practice
- IMCH is very active in research, with several publications in both local and international reputable journals.
- The institute organise regular training workshops in Research methodology, Dissertation and Proposal writing, aimed at improving the quality of research done at institute, in Nigeria and in the tropics.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Professor Euzebus Chinonye Ezugwu
Director,
Institute of Maternal and Child Health,
College of Medicine,
University of Nigeria,
P.M.B.01129, Ituku- Ozalla
Enugu State,
Nigeria.
+2348037020295