Dimch

About Us

Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH) University of Nigeria was established in the year 2015 as one of the three (3) new Institutes of the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla campus.  The aim of the Institute is to foster Health Research, Postgraduate studies, and Community services in Women and Child Health. Professor Henrietta U. Okafor was the pioneer Director of the Institute. In March 2018, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin C. Ozumba, appointed Prof. Cyril C. Dim to take over the directorship of the Institute, at the end of pioneer Director’s tenure.

The functions of the Institute include:

  1. Health Research in Women and Child Health – the IMCH through her RMO shall seek for funding and collaboration with relevant sponsors and Institutions
  2. Postgraduate academic degrees – MSc and PhD as approved by the University of Nigeria
  3. Short Certificate courses /Training Workshops in Woman and Child Health, Grant writing, Research management, Medical ethics, etc
  4. Community services – health promotion activities relevant to women and child health including clinical duties, health outreaches, media presentations, etc
  5. Other activities that advance the promotion of women and child health in Nigeria as may be approved by the Administrative Board from time to time.

For ease of administration of academic and other functions of the Institute, the IMCH UNN has been restructured into two functional units thus:

  • Child Health Unit, and
  • Women Health Unit

These units reflect the two departments of the university, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology respectively that form the base of the Institute. Each unit is headed by a Postgraduate Academic Co-ordinator from the respective department.

In March 2016, the IMCH received approval from the University Nigeria Senate to offer two part-time postgraduate degree programmes thus:

  1. MSc and PhD in Human Reproduction and Women Health
  2. MSc and PhD in Tropical Paediatrics

These programmes are designed for specialist medical doctors with specialist certifications (at least Part one Fellowship) in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Paediatrics respectively. These certifications 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 specialists in related clinical areas may be admitted into the programmes but, they are not eligible for the MSc/PhD programme. Detailed entry requirements and programmes’ curricula are specified in the relevant section. The first set of students were admitted in the 2016/17 academic session. Since then, new sets of students are admitted per session.

 

Vision

To be a world-class Institute that will advance research in women and child health conditions in Africa, the results of which will inform policies and best practices in these areas of medicine. Also, to produce adequate manpower necessary to implement and drive these policies and practices

 

Mission

To provide interdisciplinary training in research, policy, theory, and practice relevant to health problems and services for women, infants, children, adolescents, and their families