SIU Scholar: Dr. Ifiok Udo Essiet

Abstract

The Soci et e Internationale d'Urologie (SIU) offers training scholarships for young doctors with basic surgical or urologic qualifications. The SIU scholarships involve training in a recognized urology center of excellence located in the candidate's geographical region. These SIU-accredited centers provide an excellent environment for learning and, in many instances, hands-on experience, so that candidates may acquire knowledge and skills that they will be able to transfer to their own setting of practice. In this series of short communications, SIU scholars write about the impact that these training opportunities facilitated by the SIU had on their quality of care and career development. Information about applying for an SIU scholarship is available at http://www. siu-urology.org/. I started my SIU scholarship training at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, Nigeria on September 12, 2012, with great delight and anticipation. I was delighted because I considered it a privilege to be part of an institution that is not only the first tertiary health care facility in Nigeria, but also noted for excellent, prompt, and accessible health care in the West African subregion. As such, I was confident that I would have a worthwhile and rewarding experience during the 6-month program. I was introduced to Prof. O. B. Shittu, the Head of the Urology Division, who also doubles as the Head of the Department of Surgery. I was then directed to Prof. E.O. Olapade-Olaopa, the Director of the SIU training program and was warmly welcomed. The division has 3 professors of surgery and/or urology, 2 consultant urologists with different areas of specialization and interest, 3 senior registrars, and 1 SIU scholar. The division operates as a united family with members being very resourceful, proactive, and painstaking in caring for patients. The division is well structured with intense clinical and academic activities that span throughout the week. Ward rounds are done daily, with consultant teaching rounds on Wednesdays and Fridays. Other activities include outpatient consultation clinic, minor procedure clinic, theater sessions, grand rounds, journal club meetings, mortality and morbidity meetings, a joint urology and radiology conference, and a joint urology and pathology conference. I enjoyed wide exposure through active participation in surgical procedures such as anastomotic and substitution urethroplasty, radical nephrectomy, nephrolithotomy, pyeloplasty, retropubic prostatectomy, nephroureterectomy, hypospadias repair, epispadias repair, vesicovaginal fistula repair, and radical cystectomy.