The Plateau State continues it impressive run for people living with disabilities in the state as it’s Judiciary under His Lordship the Chief Judge of the State, justice Lazarus Dakyen has resolved to create special court to handle disability related cases as pilot attempt to achieve access to Justice for people with disabilities in the judiciary.
The Judiciary will partner with the Disability Rights Commission to ensure all court buildings are accessible, interpreters provided at the special court, Judges are trained on Disability Rights and judgment are printed in braille in any case involving the Blind among others. This was an outcome of advocacy visit by the Disability Rights Commission, Chairman James Lalu and his team on the Judiciary Service Commission yesterday, 14 June, 2017.
Earlier, Plateau State 8th Assembly had passed Independent Electoral Commission Amendment Bill passed. The bill if implemented will ensure;
– At least one commissioner/member of the electoral body shall be a person with Disability
– Disability Unit established legally
– Separate que for People with Disabilities at poling units
– Ballot papers, election guidelines shall be printed in braille
– Interpreters to be provided at all poling units
– Among many others
Congratulations to Plateau state PWDs!
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Teamwork in the form of inter-professional collaboration has been described as the best way to
go in the interest of patients and nation building.
This was the summation of professionals in the health sector that gathered for the
one-day symposium organised by the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAP) in partnership with Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
The event chaired by the former President, Nigeria Academy of Engineering,
Engr. Vincent Maduka, was held at the Ade Ajayi Auditorium
of University of Lagos, Akoka. The theme was: Health of the Nation: The
imperative of inter-professional collaboration.
The former Minister of Health, Prof Eyitayo Lambo, who was the
keynote speaker, said there were many factors ailing the health sector, and the best professionals
in the sector could do for the patient wais to work together and communicate mutually.
“That way each professional will be able to work seamlessly, professionally in their areas of competence and for the patients’ healing and everybody will be happy as a team,” said Prof Lambo.
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) represented by the former Lagos State chairman, Dr Francis Faduyile,
said the association had held a summit with a similar aim in time past and it is
good that all other professionals come on board of
the recommendations.
Former Minister of Health and President of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy,
Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi said the dire state of healthcare in Nigeria
today, despite continuing efforts, required that all professionals should work in harmony to tackle the issues for the good
of the country.
“Unfortunately, the poor state of affairs is made even worse by the animosity, distrust and consequently, disharmony among the different professionals in the health sector,” said Prince Adelusi-Adeluyi.
He added that the most vital resource in the health sector
is not the annual budgetary allocation from the government,
but rather, the sector’s huge human resource
endowment which unfortunately is not harmonisedwhich often is to the detriment of patients.
“It is only by building on its strengths which include its diversity, that the health sector can become truly primed to deliver optimal value to Nigeria”, he added.
PSN President Alhaji Ahmed Yakassai reiterated that as healthcare professionals, “we need to work together as brothers and sisters to ensure that our patients get the best quality care and treatment that can be provided. The culture of healthcare has long emphasised solo acts, we cannot continue like this if the patients’ interest is paramount. Research has shown that inter-professional collaboration improves the quality of care and patient’s satisfaction leading to a better work environment overall.
“This would require a systemic change in practice, effective and open communication, professional trust, and a system of coordinated care
that allows patients to be part of the decision making
in relation to their care. Adopting this team based
culture of mutual respect and understanding is possible and very necessary as we all have a moral
obligation towards the welfare of the patient. I believe that together we are better and we are stronger.”
Adelusi-Adeluyi said some of the brightest minds in this country were in the health sector. Yet in the last few years, the efficiency and effectiveness of public health delivery had suffered steady decline as a result of the unhealthy rivalry among various professionals in the sector. “From a historical standpoint,
this situation didn’t start today. Look at the Hanzard of February 1961, it quotes the first minister of health, Dr.
Adekoyejo Majekodunmi, as saying that the budget is okay but he prays that there would be funding in time and that there would be cooperation among those working in the health sector.
“This symposium has been long in waiting to be held. It doesn’t matter who has organised it. What is important is that we have a very comprehensive representation of all the members of the health sector present. It is time to disappoint those who have profited from the disharmony among healthcare professionals. Unless we all come together and negotiate with humility and with a sense of accommodation, the distractions will continue. It is my belief that this landmark occasion would not be in vain.
National Secretary PSN, Gbolagade Iyiola, Vice President Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Sir Ifeanyi Atueyi and a foremost pharmacist, Prof Fola Tayo all said the symposium was a replicate of the historical joint conference in Las, Nevada, USA organised by the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) to bring together different healthcare practitioners together to enhance interprofessional collaboration.
Other healthcare professionals who presented paper during the panel discussions include: Asst Director of Nursing Services, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH), Mrs. Shode Modupe Jokotola; Chairman, Jaykay Pharmacy Ltd, Jimi Agbaje; MD, Lahor Research Laboratories and Medical Centre, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor; Assistant Editor, Guardian Newspapers, Chukwuma Muanya and Group Medical Director, Reddington Hospital, Dr Olutunde Lalude who represented Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, a medical doctor and former president of the Guild of Medical Directors.