Abstract
M.L.L.S. is an acronym for the 4 year “Licentiate of Medicine and Licentiate of Surgery” degree which is the physician assistant degree I propose for the most populous country on the continent of Africa [1] sub-Saharan African countries with fewer inhabitants such as Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia already have the physician assistant profession. Nigeria does not. Holders of the MLLS will be addressed as “doctors” and not “physician assistants”, “clinical officers” “physician associates”, “assistant doctors”, “medical licentiates” or any other distinguishing terms. [2-3] Their distinguishing factor from regular [MBBS] doctors will be the shorter duration of study, name of the degree and a lower salary which must never fall below 70% of the regular doctor’s salary. Entry requirements for admission will be less stringent than for MBBS students and it is assumed that MBBS students who fail exams may find solace in the less intensive MLLS program. This MLLS degree however will be a terminal one. Holders will not be allowed to specialize and will remain general practitioners for the rest of their lives. Here is why the MLLS is needed in Nigeria: Relatively low Average Life expectancy, large number of HIV type 2 at risk people, high maternal mortality rate, high infant mortality rate, many deaths from malaria, cholera and typhoid fever, low doctor patient ratio, many living below poverty line, many internally displaced people and many victims of VVF.
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