The Permanent Secretary of Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed that the country is first in the African continent to identify with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), thereby, becoming the first BPSO designated host.
Describing it as remarkable, Daju Kachollom also said the ministry recognises the place of Nurses to achieve the mandate of the Nigerian healthcare system.
Kachollom revealed these at the Launch of the Best Practices Spotlight Organisation (BPSO) Host and Training of Trainers on Best Practise Guidelines for Nurses.The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Health Ministry and, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) Canada. It is also aimed at improving quality healthcare services for Nigerians.
The Permanent Secretary further explained that the Ministry will be responsible for training, mentoring and overseeing nursing service delivery of the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs), as well providing support for the implementation of RNAOs Best Practice Guidelines (BPGS).
“Nurses will be equipped to deliver care that is not only evidence-based but also culturally sensitive and patient-centred, Kachollom, represented by the Director Food & Drugs Department of the Ministry, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana said in a statement issued on Monday, by Alaba Balogun, the Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations of the Ministry.
“This approach will undoubtedly contribute to the realization of the Coordinating Minister’s four point’s health agenda as well as global sustainable goals”, she stated.
She enumerated that the initiative is primed for implementation in 15 hospitals selected for the pilot phase, and added that the Nigerian BPSO initiative will further entrench and strengthen the Ministry’s agenda for population health outcomes.
“The Nigerian BPSO initiative is a step forward in fostering a healthcare system that prioritizes the highest standards of care. This training is a critical component of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the skills and expertise of nurses and other healthcare workers, equipping them with the tools needed to meet the tools needed to meet the evolving challenges in healthcare delivery”; the Permanent Secretary said.
Director, Hospital Services Department of the Ministry Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh said the launch ceremony precedes a four- day training programme of teams from the 15 selected FHTHI across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country, including a district hospital in the federal capital city.
Represented by Dr. Okpiko Okpako Director, Regulatory & Professional Schools unit; Dr Salaudeen emphasized the core essence of the collaboration, as being essential for exchange knowledge as both countries will learn some cultural peculiarities to care giving.
Several goodwill messages were delivered by various associations of nursing profession, including from Dr. Doris Grinspun CEO Registered Nurses Association Ontario (Canada) who signed the Memorandum of Understanding MoU for RNAO.