Abuja:The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has collaborated with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to create a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course aimed at preventing violence in healthcare settings in Nigeria.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this initiative was announced by James Matthews, Deputy Head of Delegation at ICRC, during a three-day workshop in Abuja organized by NMCN. The workshop focused on developing the CPD course specifically for practising nurses to address violence in healthcare environments.
James Matthews highlighted that research has shown the pressing need to address violence affecting healthcare delivery in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of creating environments where healthcare workers are treated with dignity and respect, and where violence does not become a routine feature of healthcare delivery.
The CPD course is intended to build on previous efforts with NMCN to enhance the Protection of Healthcare within nursing education. It aims to translate foundational knowledge into practical skills for nurses, focusing on effective communication, recognizing early warning signs, appropriate intervention, and ensuring personal safety.
Dr. Ndagi Alhassan, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NMCN, underscored the relevance of this course since nurses and midwives often face aggression, threats, and other challenges in healthcare settings. He stressed the responsibility of various stakeholders to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to manage and prevent violence.
The workshop also saw contributions from Ms. Juliet Unubi, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for the Protection of Healthcare Programme at ICRC Nigeria, who noted that the CPD initiative provides tools for nurses to recognize warning signs and respond effectively to potential violence.
The three-day workshop is expected to lay the groundwork for a sustainable CPD module that enhances nurses’ communication, risk identification, prevention, and intervention skills, ultimately contributing to safer healthcare delivery in Nigeria.