Lagos Trains Health Workers on Patients’ Care

The Lagos State Ministry of Health yesterday enjoined health care workers in the ministry to focus on patient- centred care with a view to improving patient experience, quality of care and safety outcomes.

Speaking during a continuing medical education programme organized for the health workers by the ministry, the Executive Manager, Society for Quality Healthcare, Nigeria, Mrs Lawumi Oluborode, described patient-centred care as an essential tool towards improving the quality of health care service in Lagos State.

While noting that the core principles of the care include respect and dignity, information sharing, participation and collaboration, Oluborode stated that health care practitioners must listen to and honour patient and family perspectives and choices.

She added that patients and families must receive timely, complete and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision making

The Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programmes in the ministry, Dr Funmilayo Shokunbi, said, “In general, training and professional development of staff in the health sector is accorded the priority it deserves in Lagos State, and as new challenges and opportunities emerge, the required quality of health service delivery can only be ensured if we keep health workers well equipped with updated information and skills through our Continuing Medical Education Programme.”