Nursing council moves to strengthen rural healthcare delivery

Nursing council moves to strengthen rural healthcare delivery

The registrar of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Faruk Abubakar, has said that the body has strengthened primary healthcare delivery through improved training of Licensed Community Nurses and Midwives (LCNs and LCMS) as well as Registered Public Health Nurses (RPHNS).

Abubakar noted that the body had embarked on reforms in nursing education to achieve improvement in the quality of healthcare services.

The NMCN registrar spoke while delivering the 13th convocation lecture of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state.

He said the council carried out critical reforms so that more skilled healthcare personnel would be available in rural areas across the country.

Speaking on the topic, “Education as a tool for social change and justice in Nigeria,” Abubakar said all sectors of the economy need to initiate reforms in education in various endeavours to achieve social change and justice in the country.

Abubakar stated that educational policies and initiatives must promote equity, inclusivity, and social justice and address Nigeria’s diverse society’s unique challenges and opportunities.

He said: “Education and social change are interconnected, a powerful tool for social change and justice in Nigeria; and all stakeholders should collaborate to ensure quality education for all the country’s citizens.

“There is a connection between education and social change. Education comes first before social change, and effective social change can only occur with sound education.

“To effectively address the issues of social change and justice in Nigeria, the government, civil society organizations, international development partners, and the active participation of Nigeria citizens must work together in a comprehensive and ongoing effort.

“To build a more fair and equitable society that benefits all Nigerians, the government and policy makers must do the following; empower individuals, foster understanding and tolerance, encourage gender parity, deal with injustice and corruption, encourage civic engagement and active participation, economic development, and enhance well-being and health.

“However, education policies and initiatives must be designed and implemented to promote equity, inclusivity, and social justice and address the unique challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s diverse society.

“However, it’s important to acknowledge that education alone might not solve all societal issues. It needs to be complemented by efforts to address systematic barriers, promote inclusivity, and ensure that the education provided is relevant, equitable, and empowering for all individuals.

“Effective social change and justice often require a multifaceted approach involving education, policy reforms, community engagement, and collective action to create a more equitable and just society.”