Becoming a doctor would be the dream of many young Zambians. The profession of a doctor is also a noble one and has been since the dawn of time. Unlike engineering, law, and arts fields, medical requires much more than good grades. A very few people meet that criteria. Are you the type of person? Do you wish to become a doctor? If you say yes, you are in the right place now. Listed here the 5 steps to become a doctor in Zambia.
The Demand for Doctors in Zambia
The health of the nation is critical for its growth and development. Doctors are in high demand all across Zambia as the country is in the path to improve its healthcare services and combat deadly diseases like typhoid, malaria, and AIDS/HIV. An article published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that almost 21% of the patients were not satisfied with the medical services they received in Zambia.
Zambia also faces a dismal doctor-patient ratio. As per the reports based on the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Zambian Ministry of Health, the doctor-patient ratio in Zambia is at 1 doctor for every 12,000 active patients (Source: DW.Com). This ratio is opposed to the WHO’s acceptable standard of 1 physician for every 5,000 people, which is alarming.
5 Steps to Become a Doctor in Zambia
Medical care in Zambia has a lot of room for improvement. It would allow aspirants to serve a noble cause and ultimately help the nation. So, where does one start? What are the steps to become a doctor in Zambia?
Usually, it will take six to eight years (depending on your higher education route) to complete your medical training after schooling and get your license to practice as a doctor in Zambia. It involves 5 steps to become a doctor as listed below:
- Step 1: Schooling
- Step 2: Associate Degree/Diploma in Health Science Program
- Step 3: Enrolling in MBChB
- Step 4: Getting Registered with HPCZ
- Step 5: Practicing Medicine
Step 1: Schooling
The steps to become a doctor in Zambia start with your schooling. Medical aspirants can begin preparing for their medical career from their schooling years. They can do so by choosing to complete their Grade 12 with the entry requirements of 5 credits and above in English, Mathematics, Biology/Agriculture, Life Science/Physical Science/Science, and any other fifth subject, to qualify for health sciences programs.
Step 2: Associate Degree/Diploma in Health Science Program
After you have completed your schooling, you have two options. You can take up an associate selected degree courses in health science or a diploma course in Zambia.
Many universities, like Texila American University, offers medical education in Zambia. A foundation program like Health Professionals Foundation Program (HPFP) is the basis for those who wish to build on their basics on and become academically and mentally ready before enrolling in the Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) course.
Step 3: Enrolling in MBChB
Enrolling in an MBChB degree is the third of the 5 steps to become a doctor in Zambia. Once you have completed your choice of foundation degree, you will be eligible to enroll in an MBChB degree.
Step 4: Getting Registered with HPCZ
After completing your MBChB in Zambia, you will have to register yourself with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
Step 5: Practicing Medicine
After getting your license, you will be able to apply with public and private medical organizations for practice. You also now have the option to pursue an MD or MS and take your first step into specialization in any particular field of medical care.
Best University to Study MBChB in Zambia
Texila American University in Zambia is one of the top medical schools in Zambia and known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure and international-standard curriculum. Texila aims to provide quality education and create world-class healthcare specialists for Zambia and the world. Texila provides students the fantastic opportunity to learn and train under an international medical education system to support students in acquiring the skills and get exposure to excel in the medical field.
HPFP is a pre-med course at Texila, explicitly crafted to train students for undertaking the MBChB course. The course offers the students a firm grasp of natural sciences. The HPFP course serves as a foundation for the core principles of medical sciences for students who will be critical for their knowledge of principles and terminologies encountered during their MBChB course.
The MBChB program is a crucial step to becoming a doctor in Zambia. MBChB from Texila is aimed at training students with the essential skills, knowledge, and mindset to succeed in the medical field. The course offers extensive and in-depth training on healthcare. The MBChB curriculum is balanced between curative, preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative healthcare.
Becoming a doctor is no ordinary feat. One has to be willing to take up years of study and training to get a chance at spending long hours of residency period working with patients, reports, and other professionals to earn the degree and license.
Following the above-said steps to become a doctor is not enough. You will have to have the right reason to keep you motivated to help you get through tough times. In the end, many lives will depend on you and your skills to get them through testing times. Work hard and persevere to become a doctor. Good luck!
