The Honourable Minister of State Health, Honourable Joseph Ekumankama, ably represented by the Director Hospital Services Doctor Bolakale Alonge has harped on the effective use of Nigeria Standard Treatment Guidelines (NTSG) in the healthcare delivery systems. The Guidelines, he said was systematically developed and designed to assist health practitioners and patients in making appropriate decisions in clinical practice.
This he made known at the official launch of the 3rd Edition of the Nigeria Standard Treatment Guidelines (NTSG), which took place on November 24, 2022 at Ministry of Health’s Headquarter Conference room Abuja.
Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of State Health, gave insights on how the document, (NSTG) would be of immense value to the healthcare providers at all levels of the National Healthcare system including the private healthcare sector. “This is in order to achieve the intended goal of promoting rational drug use, standardizing medical care by encouraging uniformity protocols across our practice settings and ultimately improving quality of care,” he said.
Still speaking, Ekumakama stated that the Standard Treatment Guidelines was developed under the various statutory laws and will serve as veritable tool which will promote healthcare delivery system and provide a standard of care for the Nigerian population.
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmoud Mammam who was represented by Director, Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM), Pharmacist Zainab Sheriff, lauded the committee for their painstaking efforts and numerous contributions towards the success of the Launch.
He emphasized on the relevance of the document stressing that the document will serve as a reference document to all health practitioners. “I will call it maybe the second Holy Book for experts in this field because it should be available, accessible, affordable,” he said.
In her welcome remarks, the Director Food and Drug Department, Pharmacist Olubunmi Arabena noted that the Launching was very special because it is coming immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic with its attendant challenges.
Speaking earlier, the chairman, National Drug Formulary/Essential Medicines List, Prof. John Ohaju- Obodo informed that the guidelines are evidence based and took into consideration a holistic approach about the peculiarities, local circumstances, personnel as well as the resources available for provision of services in the health sector.
Goodwill messages were received from various stakeholders including the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) among others.
Kasie-Agu Constance U.
SIO
Signed
Ahamadu A.A. Chindaya
