Overview of Havana Specialist Hospital
Havana Specialist Hospital is a private healthcare facility located in the heart of Surulere, Lagos. It is an MDCN-accredited centre offering housemanship positions for newly qualified doctors seeking clinical exposure in a private hospital setting.
House Officer Slots at Havana Specialist Hospital
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Total House Officer (HO) slots: 6
Due to the small number of house officers, call duties are frequent and workloads can be intense, especially during busy rotations.
Accommodation for House Officers
Accommodation is provided off-site in a residential flat shared by the six house officers.
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Structure: 4-bedroom flat
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2 shared rooms
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2 single rooms
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Room allocation: Based on gender distribution
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Room facilities:
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Ensuite bathroom
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Bed and wardrobe
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Shared facilities:
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Kitchen
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Cooker
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Standing refrigerator
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Utilities, Repairs, and Living Costs
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Monthly electricity stipend is provided by the hospital (occasionally delayed)
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Cleaning, cooking gas, and most repairs are handled by the house officers
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A pooled monthly contribution is usually required for urgent lodge needs
Accommodation Upsides
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Electricity supply is generally stable if bills are settled
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Single rooms offer privacy and reduced disturbances
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Lodge is not within the hospital premises
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~30 minutes walk
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~10 minutes by keke
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Off-site accommodation allows better separation between work and rest
Accommodation Downsides
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Repairs are slow and often require out-of-pocket payment
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No air conditioners provided
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House officers are advised to bring a standing fan
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Installing an AC requires agreement among occupants due to electricity costs
Work Schedule and Call Duties
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Work days: Monday to Sunday
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Daily hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm
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Call frequency: Every 2 days
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Post-call off: Not given
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Weekday call duration: Approximately 33 hours
This schedule can lead to significant fatigue over time.
Clinical Duties and Responsibilities
On the wards, house officers are permitted to administer select IV medications, including:
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Labetalol
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Magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄)
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Hydralazine
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IV insulin
As a private hospital, patient satisfaction is prioritized, as patients pay significantly for care.
Salary and Allowances
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Monthly salary: ₦253,000
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Last confirmed update: January 2026
Work Environment – Upsides
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Consultants are approachable and interested in teaching
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Departmental workload varies; some rotations are calmer than others
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Medical Officers are generally supportive
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Several nurses are friendly and helpful, contributing to a positive work environment
Work Environment – Downsides
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Workload can be overwhelming with limited recovery time
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Long work hours are often overlooked when expectations are set
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Workplace dynamics vary; professionalism and discretion are important
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Some nurses may speak disrespectfully to doctors
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Limited culture of escalating or addressing inappropriate behavior
Navigating the work environment requires emotional intelligence and tact.
Food Provision
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House officers receive 3 meal tokens per call
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Meals are prepared by an external catering service
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Food quality is fair and improves with familiarity and preference
Lifestyle and Social Life
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Located in Surulere, with easy access to Yaba
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Reasonable proximity to the Island
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Wide variety of food vendors and hangout spots
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Social life depends largely on energy levels after work
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With intentional planning, leisure time is achievable despite workload
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By Doclumina Team