In a significant move toward enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare has officially launched the Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) initiative. This initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ministry and the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO),Canada.
The Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni, disclosed this at the event Launch in Abuja.
She emphasied the significance of this partnership, noting that Nigeria was the first country in Africa to collaborate with RNAO as a designated BPSO host. She stated, “This is a remarkable achievement for Nigeria as it highlights the critical role nurses play in achieving the mandates of our healthcare system.”
As a BPSO host, the Ministry will oversee the implementation of RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) across federal tertiary health institutions (FTHIs), providing training, mentorship, and support to nursing professionals.
In her keynote address, delivered on her behalf by the Director of the Food & Drugs Department, Pharmacist Olubunmi Aribeana, the Permanent Secretary highlighted the transformative impact of these guidelines on nursing practices in Nigeria. She remarked, “Nurses will now be equipped to deliver care that is evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered. This aligns with the Coordinating Minister’s four-point health agenda and contributes to the achievement of global sustainable development goals.”
The initiative’s pilot phase will be implemented in 15 hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country, including a district hospital in the Federal Capital Territory. This pilot is expected to entrench and strengthen the Ministry’s commitment to improving population health outcomes.
“The Nigerian BPSO initiative represents a leap forward in fostering a healthcare system that prioritizes the highest standards of care. This training program is a crucial step in enhancing the skills and expertise of nurses and other healthcare workers, equipping them to meet the evolving challenges of healthcare delivery,” the Permanent Secretary added.
The Director of the Hospital Services Department, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh, mni, noted that the launch marks the beginning of a four-day training program for teams from the selected hospitals. Represented by Dr. Okpiko Okpako, Director of the Regulatory and Professional Schools Unit, Dr. Jimoh emphasized the mutual benefits of the collaboration, stating that it will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and understanding of cultural nuances in caregiving between Nigeria and Canada.
Goodwill messages were delivered by several stakeholders, including Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, who signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of RNAO.
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