Lagos State Government has tasked its health care workers on improved health care delivery through continuous capacity development and building resilience around the current realities of the workplace.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye who stated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day State Continuing Medical Education programme organized by the Ministry of Health for health workers in Lagos State, explained that healthcare workers must learn how to build resilience and boost their capacities for a improved health service delivery.
Ogboye explained further that the Continuing Medical Education programme themed “Improving Quality of Healthcare Service Delivery” is well thought out to prepare health workers for the realities of the present day and keep them abreast of best practices in the health care delivery system.
“The Y2023 State Continuing Medical Education program with the theme: “Improving Quality Healthcare Delivery” was organized for health workers to boost their capacity and enhance effective service delivery in the health sector. The theme was carefully selected to set a landmark in providing quality health to the citizenry and I am particularly enthusiastic about the topics”, He said.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration in Lagos State recognizes the importance of human capital development in the attainment of universal healthcare coverage adding that Lagos is looking towards developing the capacities of health care workers alongside preserving both the physical and mental health of its health workforce.
“Beyond teaching, our healthcare workers must build their capacities to provide good quality services. We are also trying to preserve their mental and physical health. It is quite important that the career is also being cared for because most times we look at health workers as just people who care for other people, but we have come to realize that doctors, nurses and other health workers are just as vulnerable as other members of the society”. He said.
While officially declaring Open the Y2023 State Continuing Medical Education programme, Ogboye noted that the State Government remains committed and determined to ensure best practice in health care delivery and will continue to insist that the environment for the dispensation of medical care should be suitable for the promotion and maintenance of good health.
A Professor of Public Health, Professor Akin Osibogun, who delivered a lecture titled: “Leading and Influencing Positive Changes in the Health Sector”, explained that good leadership in the health sector must be in tune with technological skills, high quality managerial skills and social skills to be able to communicate and interact with stakeholders at all levels.
He noted that leaders in the health sector must always think of the next generation of leaders and must ensure that they train and develop the capacity of the younger colleagues for important leadership positions as a means of having a good successive plan in health care service delivery.
“A good leader in the health sector must be equipped with technological skills in the field, managerial skills that will enable him to plan, implement and evaluate programmes by following management processes and social skills to be able to communicate and interact with stakeholders at all levels”. He said.
Professor Osibogun encouraged all health care workers to move towards achieving a positive changes in health care service delivery as a positive change in health care delivery will enhance a sustainable health care delivery that will be of a great benefit to the citizenry
Earlier, the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programs, Dr. Olufunmilayo Shokunbi explained that the CME programme is a capacity building strategy of the Government targeted at addressing the health needs of caregivers so that they can discharge their duties optimally.
She noted that the Lagos State Government recognizes the importance of having a smart workforce, and that is why the CME programme would be addressing carefully selected topics that will add value to health workers.
Shokunbi urged health workers in Lagos State to continue to avail themselves with necessary knowledge that will ultimately enhance their service delivery and wellbeing.
One of the participants at the programme, Dr. Tolu Ajomale while commending the Lagos State Government for being consistent in organizing the yearly CME programme and other strategic workshop for health workers, said that the training programme will avail participants the opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn. He added that the listed topics are very apt for the current realities in the country and the health sector.
