Open AccessNational surgical, obstetric, anaesthesia and nursing plan, Nigeria
Author(s) -
Justina SeyiOlajide,
Jamie E. Anderson,
Omolara Williams,
Omolara Faboya,
Joseph O Amedu,
Snc Anyanwu,
Abraham Bethuel-Kasimu,
Olubunmi Adeola Lawal,
O B da Lilly-Tariah,
Bisola Onajin-Obembe,
Diana Farmer,
Emmanuel A. Ameh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bulletin of the world health organization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.459
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1564-0604
pISSN - 0042-9686
DOI - 10.2471/blt.20.280297
Subject(s) - medicine , nursing
Recent evidence suggests that strengthening surgical care within existing health systems will strengthen the overall health-care system. However, Nigeria's national strategic health development plan 2018-2022 placed little emphasis on surgical care. To address the gap, we worked with professional societies and other partners to develop the national surgical, obstetric, anaesthesia and nursing plan 2019-2023. The aim was to foster actions to prioritize surgical care for the achievement of universal health coverage. In addition to creating a costed strategy to strengthen surgical care, the plan included children's surgery and nursing: two key aspects that have been neglected in other national surgical plans. Pilot implementation of the plan began in 2020, supported by a nongovernmental organization with experience in surgical care in the region. We have created specific entry points to facilitate the pilot implementation. In the pilot, an electronic surgery registry has been created; personnel are being trained in life support; nurses are being trained in safe perioperative care; biomedical technicians and sterile supplies nurses are being trained in surgical instrument repair and maintenance; and research capacity is being strengthened. In addition, the mainstream media are being mobilized to improve awareness about the plan among policy-makers and the general population. Another development partner is interested in providing support for paediatric surgery, and a children's hospital is being planned. As funding is a key challenge to full implementation, we need innovative domestic funding strategies to support and sustain implementation.