By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The reintroduction of the Rotational Lagos State Nurses’ Leaders Forum has been welcomed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo.
According to him, this platform will assist in tackling the critical issues bedevilling the segment of medical profession in the state.
Speaking at the forum held in LASUTH, the medical expert urged nurses to keep abreast of the new development in the profession and keep to the dictates of the ‘new normal’ due to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He harped on the need for more activities on research, education, welfare and upholding professional standards.
While admitting that the nursing professional faced some challenges during the peak of the pandemic, she encouraged them to keep up with the work as their effort in creating some level of stability is not unnoticed.
“The management is not unaware of the shortage of nurses. We are working tirelessly and in constant discussion with the government of Lagos State towards employing graduate nurses, as this is a teaching hospital,” Professor Fabamwo said.
On her part, the Director of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health, Mrs D.O.O. Shonibare, explained that the forum was established to oversee and maintain the standard of nursing education in Lagos State.
She further said it was put in place to generate data for planning of the total number of nurses required at the three tiers of the state health sector, and develop statutory joint monitoring teams to evaluate the quality of nursing services rendered to residents of the Lagos at the various health facilities in the state.
In her remarks, the host of the day and Deputy Director of Nursing Services, LASUTH, Mrs Adebola Aina, expressed her excitement at LASUTH being the first meeting point, saying the re-launch of the forum is a step towards improving nursing services in Lagos State and by extension, the whole of Nigeria.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale