FG Partners Canadian-Based Registered Nurses Association

BY EMMANUELLA OGHENTEGA

THE Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has hosted co-sponsors of the Best Practice Spotlight Orga­nization (BPSO) initiative.

This is in a significant move to raise the bar of qualitative healthcare delivery to Nigerians.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Federal Minis­try of Health and Social Welfare and the Registered Nurses’ As­sociation of Ontario (RNAO), Canada.

In a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Infor­mation & Public Relations, it was revealed that the Permanent Sec­retary, Daju Kachollom made the disclosure at the Launch of Best Practice Spotlight Organization Host and Training of Trainers on Best Practise Guidelines for Nurses.

Speaking on the import of the collaboration, the Permanent Secretary said Nigeria was the first country in Africa to identify with RNAO becoming the first BPSO designated host, emphasizing that “this for us is remarkable as we recognise the place of the Nurses to achieve the mandate of the Ni­geria healthcare system”.

As a host, she further explained, the Ministry will be responsible for training, mentoring and, oversee­ing the nursing services delivery of the Federal Tertiary Health Institu­tions (FTHIs), as well supporting them in the implementation of RNAOs Best Practice Guidelines (BPGS)”.

Represented by the Director, Food and Drugs Department of the Ministry, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, the Permanent Secre­tary in her keynote address, af­firmed the immense contributions the best practise guidelines will bring to the nursing profession in the country.

“Nurses will be equipped to de­liver care that is not only evidence-based but also culturally sensitive and patient-centred.”

Continuing on the hanging fruits of the initiative primed for imple­mentation in 15 hospitals selected for the pilot phase, Daju Kachol­lom stressed the Nigerian BPSO initiative will further entrench and strengthen the Ministry’s agenda for population health outcomes.

Earlier, the Director of Hospital Services Department of the Min­istry, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh said the launch ceremony precedes a four- day training programme of teams from 15 selected Federal Health Tertiary Health Institutions across the six 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.