Academic Staff:
Prof. G.A.O Ozoh (FWACP)
Dr. C.L Onyekonwu (FMCP, MPH)
Dr. U.R Ojinmah (FMCP)
Dr. J.B Uche-Ejekwu (FWCAP)
Introduction
The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Nigeria was established in 1967 but the Medical School of the Faculty effectively took off in October 1970, after the Nigerian civil war. Several sub-Departments including the sub-Department of Dermatology became operational in the College of Medicine at about the same time. The sub-department was created to meet the increasing dermatological needs of the populace, serving as a tertiary referral center for a host of skin disorders and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
Initially run by Prof Anezi Okoro who was the Head from 1970-1988, other dermatologists including Prof Egere, Dr Obiagboso, Dr Evi Okafor and Dr Mbagbaw later joined the sub-Department. All these have since left. Between 1988 and 1992, Prof B.J.C Onwubere coordinated the Department. Other coordinators include Dr. G.A.O.Ozoh (1992-2004; 2007-2013), Prof E.N.Nnoruka (Deceased) between 2004 and 2007 and Dr C.L Onyekonwu from 2013-2018. The present coordinator of the Department is Dr. U.R Ojinmah.
Between 1992 and 2016, ten dermatology residents (three of whom were supernumerary) and one rheumatology resident completed their training and have since gained employment in teaching hospitals around the country. At present, the Department has three senior dermatology residents, one of who is supernumerary. Two PhD students have also passed through the department.
In 2005 and 2009, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria gave the Department partial and full accreditation respectively, to train dermatologists. The Department also has full accreditation with the West African College of Physicians.
At the moment, the Department has four academic staff (1 Professor,2 senior lecturers and one lecturer I), 3 senior resident doctors, 1 junior resident doctor, two laboratory scientists, 2 clerks.
Over the years, the Mission of the Department has broadened as patients have realized the need for specialized medical services with continued increase in uptake of these services especially in the area of dermatological care. This has led to a patient-steered demand for re-organization in services provided by the Department. At the moment, our services are still largely broad-based, involving clinical dermatology essentially.
PHILOSOPHY
To create a dynamic department with special emphasis on training of medical students and resident doctors while keeping the practicing dermatologist up-to-date, to the benefit of the patient and the Institution in an environment fashioned by teamwork among all stakeholders.
VISION STATEMENT
To build a research-driven, patient-centered department, with world-class Faculty, that encourages individual growth and creativity through innovative learning and practice environment.
MISSION STATEMENT
To produce competent Physicians who can recognize and manage common dermatological disorders in an efficient and professional manner; use diverse and effective teaching methods to educate doctors and students and the populace and provide high quality patient care to our clients.
Goals and Objectives
To create an enabling environment for the training of dermatology specialists in the University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla. To produce proficient specialists with vital expertise to diagnose and treat dermatological and genitourinary medical disorders, who can function as consultant dermatologists and venereologists and as clinical lecturers/researchers in an academic institution.
VALUES
Our values are anchored on Accountability, Integrity, Excellence, Professionalism and Respect.
STRENGTHS
Over the past few years, there has been an improvement in the departmental organization. Increasing patient data base from hundreds/year in the 70’s to thousands per year since the turn of the millennium and uptake of dermatological services is creating a more viable field for training of students and research activities, especially since it is a tertiary center and have patients accessing care from distant states of the Country including Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory. We also have a side laboratory manned by well-trained Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Consultants regularly update their knowledge through attending Local and International Conferences in order to stay abreast of current best practices. The tempo needed for further capacity development is high.
Products and Services offered by the Department of Dermatology
The Dermatology department offers training opportunities for residents from the Departments of Medicine, Paediatrics and Community Medicine preparing for the Part I Fellowship Examinations of the respective Postgraduate Medical Colleges. Junior residents in Internal Medicine also rotate through the Department on a three-monthly basis and this is a pre-requisite for attempting the Part I Fellowship Examination. Medical students also do a three week rotation in the Department.
We provide excellent skin care in addition to creating awareness of skin diseases through patient education, radio programs, organized seminars and conferences. We continuously disseminate information on deleterious effects of certain skin care products especially skin lightening agents while also teaching on the benefits of sun protection.
Patient dermatology clinical services include procedures such as biopsies, lumpectomies, intralesional injections, podophyllin applications and IV cytotoxic injection. For patients who require cosmetic dermatology, this is carried out as per request since payment for procedures are largely out-of-pocket and for those who have insurance, cosmetic dermatological services are not usually covered. Two beds are available for chemotherapy and post biopsy recovery for patients.
We provide care to patients with albinism and occasionally give out free samples of sun screens and sun protective clothing to them. We also provide paediatric dermatology and STI services amongst others.
Departmental Activities
- Weekly clinical conference/mortality reviews are held in the Medicine Department between 8. 30 and 10.00 am on Tuesdays
- Postgraduate seminars hold in the Department of Dermatology seminar hall between 2:00 and 3:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Journal clubs hold in the Department of Dermatology Seminar Hall between 2:00 and 3:00 pm on Tuesdays.
- Ward reviews of dermatological cases in Dermatology, other sub-specialties in Medicine and other specialties in the hospital.
Clinical Services
The Department of Dermatology provides the following clinical and specialized services at the skin clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospitals, Ituku Ozalla:
- General Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) clinics
- Albino clinic
- Rheumatology clinic
- Pediatric Dermatology consultations
- Investigative and Cosmetic Dermatology
Departmental Infrastructure
Rooms and offices in the department include:
Consulting Rooms/ Consultant Offices
Nurses Office
Theatre
Side Lab
Secretary’s Office
Revenue Clerk Office
Lab Scientists’ Office
Conference/Seminar Room
Dark Room
Library
Parking Store
Patients’ and staff toilet
Clinic Schedule:
Prof. G.A. O Ozoh
Mondays/Tuesdays: Dermatology
Fridays: Albino/Leprosy Clinic
Dr. C.L.Onyekonwu
Mondays/Tuesdays: Dermatology
Wednesdays: HIV Clinic
Dr. U. R. Ojinmah
Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays: Dermatology
Dr. J.B.Uche-Ejekwu
Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays: Dermatology
Supporting Departments
Rheumatology: Management of patients with connective tissue diseases and other rheumatological disorders
Morbid Anatomy: Processing and reporting of skin biopsy specimens for histopathology
Plastic Surgery: large biopsies and cosmetic repairs where necessary
Chemical Pathology: Process patients’ blood chemistry
Hematology: Carry out routine Complete blood count and other ancillary hematological investigations
Microbiology Department: STI Screenings, Blood and smear cultures
Radiology: Radiological investigations for Patients
Pharmacy: Provide and compound drugs for patients
CSSD/ Laundry: Wash bed linen and other materials used in the clinic/Sterilization of surgical equipment
Structure of Subspecialty Training
Residents undertaking subspecialty training in Dermatology and Genitourinary Medicine must have completed the initial junior residency training in Internal Medicine and passed the Part I fellowship examination in Internal Medicine of the Faculty.
The duration of residency training in Dermatology and Genitourinary Medicine is for a minimum of three years (36 months) in the dermatology department. The training is structured in such a way that the trainee undertakes clinical rotations in other specialties relevant to dermatology. All rotations listed below are usually undertaken in UNTH.
| Posting | Duration | |
| 1 | Clinical dermatology 1 with integrated Sexually Transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS posting | Minimum 14 months |
| 2 | Histopathology | 2 months |
| 3 | Plastic surgery | 2 months |
| 4 | Cardiology | 2 months |
| 5 | Endocrinology | 2 months |
| 6 | Pulmonology | 2 months |
| 7 | Nephrology | 2 months |
| 8 | Neurology | 2 months |
| 9** | Rheumatology/Gastroenterology | 2 months |
| 10 | Clinical dermatology 2 | Minimum 6 months |
The first 12 months and the final 6 months of the dermatology residency training are to be spent in Clinical Dermatology rotation. All subsequent rotations are organized within the remaining 18 months of the training period.
Internal medicine subspecialty rotations are in blocks of 2 months postings covering at least 6 specialties including cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology, neurology and rheumatology or gastroenterology,
Trainees are expected to have a two month posting each in histopathology, and plastic surgery.