Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

Type of Experience: Clinical at Jos University Teaching Hospital

Site Director: Stephan Oguche, BM BCh, FMCPaed

Additional Contacts: Fidelia Bode-Thomas, MBBS, FMCPaed

UMN Faculty Contact: Dr. Tina Slusher, tslusher@umn.edu

Is a Temporary Medical License Required? No

Can a VISA be acquired upon arrival? Yes, but requires pre-approval before travel. Cost is $50 for the single entry visa. If you envision that you will have multiple trips to Nigeria, plan accordingly with applying for a different regular visa. Apply as early as possible for the Visa approval letter to avoid delays. In-person appointment is required at one of the Nigerian onsulate n the USA, unless getting the VISA on arrival.

COVID Pandemic: Please review COVID testing requirements and vaccinations as changes are dynamic. 

Primary Language Spoken: English is the co-official national language along with Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. All medical  staff communication including patient care, bedside teaching and lectures are in English. You might encounter patients who only speak a local dialect. Please confer with your Nigerian colleagues for the best course of action.

Are language skills other than English required: No 

Housing: The Heritage City Guest House, No. 14 Nagaguta Ave, Off Wase Road, G.R.A. Jos, Nigeria

Dress code: Dress pants and shirt with collar for men. Woman can wear dress or skirt as long as it's past their knees. They may also wear dress pants. No sleeveless shirts while in Nigeria unless worn with a jacket.

Travel Medicines: see CDC for Nigeria for up to date information, take all prescription medicines in the prescription bottle

Required Vaccines: see CDC for Nigeria for up to date information, consider rabies vaccine (this has to be started at least 21 days before your travel dates to get at least 3 shots) and cholera vaccine (only available at a few travel clinics - plan in advance). One time Yellow Fever vaccine is required. Typhoid vaccine is strongly recommended.

Brief Background/History: Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) is a long-standing research partner of the University of Minnesota through Drs. Oguche, Bode-Thomas and Slusher with strong faculty relationships in Pediatrics. JUTH is a Federal Tertiary Health Institution pursuing excellence in the provision of services, training and research. JUTH has full spectrum neonatal and pediatric care and is a referral hospital for the entire region.  Additionally, JUTH is a core member of the Stop Kernicterus and Infection in Northern Nigeria collaborative, along with Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. UMN faculty work closely with JUTH faculty to study hyperbilirubinemia, G6PD deficiency, and now sepsis and infection control. For our rotations, the elective may be research or clinically-based or a combination of  both depending on the area of interest. Research interest requires advance planning.

Funding: Consider AAP International Elective Award ($1000, deadline is usually Sept 15th) or Doximity Scholarship ($2000, an example of a proposal and post travel report here) for travel funding.

Travel: Once you land in Lagos, Nigeria you will spend the night at the Baptist Guest House, 4 Tinubu Cl, Onipanu 102215, Lagos, Nigeria. $18-20/night. $15-$20 for transportation from the airport to the guest house. Connect with Dr. Slusher on how to book.

Housing in Jos, Nigeria: The Heritage City Guest House, No. 14 Nagaguta Ave, Off Wase Road, G.R.A. Jos, Nigeria. Connect with Dr. Tina Slusher on how to book.

Common questions:

1. Will mosquito nets be available? Yes, often, but if you want to be sure, plan on bringing your own.

2. What do I do for cash? You may be able to use a VISA or Mastercard, you most likely can't use American Express or Discover. You need newer (2017+) $100 bills for the best exchange rate. These bills can not be damaged, written on, or cut.

3. Do I need to bring an adapter for my electronics? Yes, the outlets in Nigeria are different - type G. You will need an adapter and a need a voltage converter if planning on using any 110 volt devises. 

4. What would you recommend to bring? You will likely have 2 luggage bags, you can use one for your personal stuff and the other one for things that will ultimately stay - gives you an empty luggage for souvenirs on the way back. Bring: PPE, gloves, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, thermometer, pulse ox, , stethoscope, things to write, computer, reading material, umbrella, rain jacket, First aid kit, Oto/ophthalmoscope (if you have one), slash-proof bag, a few locks to lock your stuff)