MARGARET CHIDERA
The Federal Government has disclosed that plans are underway to ensure 50 per cent reduction in severe preventable medication-related harm.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in a message to commemorate the 2022 World Patient Safety Day, said Nigeria is working to develop its National Policy and Strategy on Patient Safety and Quality of Care.
The Minister, who said that the 2022 theme: ‘Medication Safety’ and slogan is: ‘Medication without Harm’ is apt, said: “The goal of Medication Safety as earlier stated is to reduce severe and preventable medication related harm by 50 per cent in the next five years specifically by addressing harm resulting from errors or unsafe practices in the health system.
“This can be achieved by making improvements at each stage of the medication process, including prescribing, dispensing, administering, monitoring and use.”
“We are hoping it will be completed and launched this year so that it can be deployed for use in all our health facilities at all levels of care. The policy focuses on improving medication safety, surgical safety, safety of all medical procedures etc. Sensitisation and capacity are ongoing in our Federal Tertiary Health Institutions in the form of training on medication safety, infection prevention control, and other aspects of patient safety.
It is my hope that hospitals at all levels will be able to adopt and implement patient safety at different levels of care.
“Patient safety is everybody’s business and it requires the active participation of many key partners ranging from patients and their families to governmental, nongovernmental and professional organisations.
“This policy document will improve patient safety, clinical outcomes and client satisfaction by establishing the systems for assessing, measuring and improving patient safety at all levels of care in Nigeria.”
Dr. Ehanire, who lamented that medication errors are under reported in the country quoted a study conducted by Ogunleye et al on medication errors amongst health care professionals (doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists) in 10 tertiary hospitals across the country.
He said, 35.5 per cent of 2386 professionals that participated in the study reported medication error, while 33.4 per cent did not think reporting was necessary.
According to the minister, a high incidence of major medication errors related to prescription of incorrect Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), protocols, potential drug-drug interaction in Nigeria’s HIV treatment Programme have been reported in the past.
He said, “The incidence rate of medication errors was somewhat high; and majority of identified errors were related to prescription of incorrect ART regimens and potential drug-drug interactions; the prescriber was contacted, and the errors were resolved in majority of cases. Active screening for medication errors is feasible in resource-limited settings following adequate capacity building.
“Ladies and gentlemen, patients and members of the public are sometimes passive while receiving drug treatment. Most patients especially those on long term medications for chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. are not aware of medications prescribed for them. Some patients abuse medications such as antibiotics that can create problems of antimicrobial resistance.
“Polypharmacy which is the routine use of four or more over-the-counter, prescription and/or traditional medications at the same time by a patient can also cause harm from multi drug interactions and increase the side effects of drugs.
“Mis-communications can also occur when patients’ drugs are not properly handed over either during change in shifts or transfer of care from one health facility to another.”
While stressing the need for all hands to be on deck, the minister added that Nigeria is already working to develop its National Policy and Strategy on Patient Safety and Quality of care.
“We are hoping it will be completed and launched this year so that it can be deployed for use in all our health facilities at all levels of care. The policy focuses on improving medication safety, surgical safety, safety of all medical procedures etc.
“Sensitisation and capacity are ongoing in our Federal Tertiary Health Institutions in the form of training on medication safety, infection prevention control, and other aspects of patient safety. It is my hope that hospitals at all levels will be able to adopt and implement patient safety at different levels of care.
“Patient safety is everybody’s business and it requires the active participation of many key partners ranging from patients and their families to governmental, nongovernmental and professional organisations.
“This policy document will improve patient safety, clinical outcomes and client satisfaction by establishing the systems for assessing, measuring and improving patient safety at all levels of care in Nigeria.”
