BY OKAFOR AUGUSTINE IZUCHUKWU
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare has launched a pioneering initiative in collaboration with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), Canada, to improve healthcare delivery.
The new Best Practice Spotlight Organisation (BPSO) programme aims to enhance the quality of healthcare across Nigeria by implementing the RNAO’s evidence-based Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs). Nigeria is the first country in Africa to host this initiative.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, while highlighting the significance of the partnership, emphasised the pivotal role of nurses in achieving the ministry’s healthcare mandate.
In a statement by Deputy Director of Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, the Permanent Secretary explained that the Ministry would oversee training, mentoring, and supporting Federal Tertiary Health Institutions (FTHIs) in implementing RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines.
This approach, she said, would empower nurses to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered care.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the Coordinating Minister’s four-point health agenda and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She described it as a critical step in fostering a healthcare system that prioritizes the highest standards of care.
“Fifteen hospitals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including a district hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, were selected for the pilot phase,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that the BPSO initiative would enhance population health outcomes and strengthen the Ministry’s health agenda.
Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, mni, Director of Hospital Services, represented by Dr. Okpiko Okpako, noted that the launch marked the beginning of a four-day training program for teams from the selected hospitals.
He stressed that the collaboration with RNAO would facilitate the exchange of cultural knowledge, improving caregiving standards in both countries.
In her remarks, Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of RNAO, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for RNAO, expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential to transform nursing practices in Nigeria. She commended the ministry’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of various nursing associations, who applauded the Ministry’s efforts to prioritize capacity building and professional development for nurses.
The Director of Food and Drugs, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, reiterated the importance of equipping healthcare workers with tools to address evolving healthcare challenges. She said the initiative would ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-focused care.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that the program would significantly contribute to the professional growth of nurses, enabling them to meet global standards in healthcare delivery. She urged stakeholders to support the initiative for its long-term success.
Representatives of participating hospitals expressed optimism about the program, describing it as a timely intervention that would enhance the quality of care provided to patients across Nigeria.
The launch also provided an opportunity for networking and knowledge-sharing among healthcare professionals, further strengthening the partnership between Nigeria and Canada.
