Quality healthcare: Sanwo-Olu urges nurses to harness tech

• Declares Open Examiners’ Workshop of NMCN  

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged nurses to adapt and harness the power of technology to enhance nursing education curriculum and professional examinations to improve the quality of patient care in healthcare facilities across Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu who gave this advice yesterday at the opening ceremony of the biennial workshop for examiners of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) held at Ostra Hall in Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos, noted that nurses can create a more dynamic, engaging, and effective evaluation process that aligns with modern healthcare demands if the right technological tools can be leveraged.

The Governor who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye explained that health workers’ shared goal is to identify practical solutions that will elevate the standard of healthcare to Nigerians adding that harnessing technology will help proffer solutions to nursing education and practice in various institutions and health facilities.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the theme of the workshop: “Integrating Technology into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s Professional Examinations: A Tool for Advancement in Nursing Education and Practice”, is apt and significant as stakeholders in the nursing profession seeks to embark on a journey of transformation, embracing innovation, and propelling the future of nursing and midwifery education and practice in Nigeria.

“I’m aware that Nurses have always strived for excellence and continuous improvement in contributing their quota in the health sector through their vital roles as caregivers, advocates, and healthcare leaders.

“This workshop will hopefully be a collaborative platform, fostering the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experiences, to explore how technology can be integrated seamlessly into nursing examination processes while preserving the integrity and validity of the assessments.

“We all must embrace this opportunity to re-imagine technology’s possibilities in enriching examination systems. Together, we can chart a course towards a future where Nursing students and professionals are better equipped to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape”, the Governor said.

He urged examiners of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and nursing stakeholders present at the workshop to actively participate, share insights, and challenge conventional thinking. He opined that the collective knowledge and expertise of participants will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking outcomes that will benefit the nursing and midwifery community and the entire healthcare system.

Speaking in the same vein, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar stated that the integration of technology into the healthcare system has transformed various aspects of the healthcare profession adding that nursing education and practice are no exception.

 “This implies that the role of today’s nurses should fit into the scientific and technological advancement that will enhance the overall competence of the nurses and midwives in all ramification of their fundamental responsibilities”, He said.

Abubakar explained that the examiners’ workshop is a statutory biennial event organized for prospective and current examiners Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria who may be utilized for the conduct of the council’s professional examination aimed at improving their knowledge and skill towards effective assessment of candidates.

He noted that the workshop will adopt the modular form approach that will encourage active involvement and participation of the participants in all aspects of the programme as well as foster one-on-one interaction with the Council on possible challenges and proffering measures towards resolving them.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Nursing Service, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mrs. Dorcas Shonibare who doubles as the Chairman of the local organizing committee for the workshop noted that nursing education has made tremendous progress over the years with over 65 percent of current nursing workforce having first degree as well as Master’s and Doctorate in Nursing practice.

 She disclosed that the Lagos State Nursing Educational Institution transformed into a College of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health Nursing in 2018 adding that the State Government just constituted the Governing Council for the Lagos State College of Nursing Igando with the Chairman of the Council being a professor of Nursing.

 “It is worthy of note that many nurses, over 250, are administrators in Lagos State at the Primary Health Care level, secondary and tertiary health facilities and institutions. We also have many nurses in the Public Service attaining the position of Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors and Directors of Nursing Education, Nursing Services and Provosts of Colleges, breaking the bar of the Grade Level 14 stagnation”, Shonibare said.