The Society for Quality In Healthcare In Nigeria ‌..sharing healthcare best practices
Who we are NO 8 MARINE ROAD APAPA LAGOS, NIGERIA
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Brief history In 2003, a group of healthcare professionals in Nigeria came together to promote the idea of a registered nongovernmental organization to reduce the cost of health care, improve health outcomes, increase confidence in the healthcare sector in Nigeria and generally take the discussion of quality in healthcare to a wider platform. The Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) was introduced in Nigeria in 1990 as a way of making healthcare more affordable to Nigerians. The function was to improve the quality of care and services being provided for the enrollees, who hold their provider accountable. Currently, what exists is a medley of efforts to improve the quality in healthcare in Nigeria as a few attempts have been made by some people over the years. A few organizations have since implemented a “stand alone” quality initiative in the absence of a coordinated effort. Hence, the public healthcare system in Nigeria is struggling to meet the health needs of the population. However, not much progress has been achieved in addressing the issue of quality in the provision of health care service in Nigeria. Hence, a lot of collaboration is required from all stake holders (everyone who benefits from the Healthcare sector) in Nigeria, especially public and private Hospitals, public and private healthcare providers, medical practitioners, public and private purchasers, labor unions, Health Maintenance Organizations, as well as the Government.
About us Subsequently, the Society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria (SQHN) was incorporated in May, 2006 as a non-profit charitable organization, that is governed by a constitution and has multidisciplinary involvement in the health sector. Its main focus is to provide a wider understanding and acceptance of Quality in Healthcare towards improved patient outcomes as well as to reduce costs in healthcare delivery.
Our mission To lead, advocate and facilitate the continuous improvement of quality and safety in healthcare in Nigeria through education, collaboration, training and accreditation.
Our values
Learning Collaboration Supportiveness World Class Standards Efficiency Page 2 of 6
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Our objectives The society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria is a not for profit organization registered in 2006 for the purpose of promoting and facilitating a culture of quality improvement, excellence and leadership in the most efficient and effective manner in the area of healthcare. SQHN seeks to promote the principles and practices of quality improvement and risk management in healthcare by providing a national voice on quality improvement and risk management initiatives in healthcare in Nigeria. It aims to establish and maintain a support network for those actively involved in healthcare quality improvement and risk management, as well as promote professional ethics as they relate to the practice of improvement of quality in healthcare as well as in risk management. To do this, SQHN desires to develop and foster alliances with related national and international bodies that will enable it exchange ideas and share knowledge freely between and amongst its members. The society is involved in facilitating opportunities for communication, cooperation and exchange of ideas and experiences as well as in facilitating training and continuing education in healthcare quality. It does this through seminars, workshops, lectures, publishing of newsletters, journals and other such periodicals. It is important to understand that the society does this as its contribution towards educating healthcare practitioners and the public on the practices of quality healthcare for all and not for the purpose of making profit or for the benefit of its members alone.
Board of Trustees
Dr. Oluwole M. Abiodun-Wright Dr. Ismail L. Adeyemi Mrs. Hairat A. Balogun Professor Emmanuel A. Elebute Professor (Mrs.) Oyinade W. Elebute Professor Abba Hassan Dr. Peter Nmadu Dr. Pascal N. Ogbolu Dr. Samson B. Ositelu Dr. Ngozi F. Onyia Mrs. Fola Laoye
Executive Board
Professor Emmanuel A. Elebute Dr. Olugbenga Mokuolu Dr. Pascal N. Ogbolu Dr. christoph Hamelmann
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Dr. Wole Abiodun-Wright Dr. Hasheem Saidu Mrs. Njide Ndili Mrs. Fola Laoye Dr. Omotayo Bello Dr. Dudley Wang Dr. Ajibike Oyewumi Dr. Peter Nmadu Dr. S A Kuranga Dr. Ngozi Onyia Dr. Olakunle O. Onakoya Professor Abiodun O. Ilesanmi Professor Emmanuel O. Otolorin Dr. T M Oyekan Professor Akin Osibogun Dr. Abdulwaheed O. Latinwo
Our activities 2006: Application to ISQua: SQHN applied for membership with the International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) and was admitted in 2006 as an Institutional Member of ISQua. 2007: Issuance of ISQua Membership Certificate: A Certificate to that effect was issued in 2007. 2008: Creation of website: The website (www.sqhn.org) was created for the Society for the purpose of disseminating information and other issues concerning the Healthcare industry for the benefit of members as well as other interested parties. Training: The SQHN is willing to facilitate and assist any individual who is interested in a Certification course in Healthcare Quality. The Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) program is an International and voluntary program in the field of healthcare quality management that has achieved full accreditation. 2009: Maiden Conference: The Society for Quality in Healthcare in Nigeria embarked on a maiden conference in July 2009 titled “Healthcare Quality in Nigeria” at the Muson Centre in Lagos. The Conference was geared towards
creating an awareness about the objectives of the Society and increasing the membership drive promoting the principles and practice of quality improvement and risk management in healthcare introducing the concept of accreditation as a tool for quality improvement in healthcare Page 4 of 6
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creating awareness around the importance of patient safety and measurement of clinical outcomes Exchanging knowledge on ways of improving healthcare quality.
The conference was targeted at Health Practitioners, Policy makers, Educators NGOs and Civil Society Organizations as well as all other individuals and organizations who are willing to support the cause. 1st SQHN Seminar: On the 25th of November 2009, the Society once again opened its doors to its members and the public by holding the first in its series of quarterly seminars towards improving the quality of healthcare in Nigeria. The seminars which would be held every quarter are designed to help in capacity building and creating awareness for all members, while encouraging the adoption of best practices and the prevention of medical errors to the barest minimum. The Seminar consisted of two sessions, and the first session focused on the importance of patient safety with special attention given to the 9 WHO checklist of common errors in Hospitals. The second session educated the members on Medical Waste Management and emphasized the fact that the improper disposal of medical waste in Hospitals can put the patients at risk of infection different from their main reason of going to the Hospital. The COHSASA Contract: SQHN entered into a partnership agreement with COHSASA, a South African Accreditation Body with the aim of accrediting Hospitals and Healthcare institutions in Nigeria. Currently an accreditation process has begun for some laboratories and Hospitals in Nigeria. 2010: 2nd Seminar: In February 2010, the Society held its first quarterly seminar for the year which comprised of a 2 day session. On the first day, the theme was on ”Human Factor Engineering and Patient Safety” , with emphasis on the importance of the Human factor in considering patient safety, as most of the errors in Hospitals can actually be avoided. The second day session focused on “Introducing the WHO Good Governance for Medicines Programme”. This gave a new meaning to the importance of good governance and why it is necessary to bring about social and economic development. Good governance is very vital to healthcare as it has far reaching consequences on the economy. The 2nd Conference: In continuation with what has become our practice, the Society for Quality in Healthcare will conduct another Conference come 6th July 2010 with the theme ”Improving Quality Standards in the Nigerian Healthcare System”. 2011: The 1st Workshop: For the first time, the Society organized a workshop for her members to give the members of the Society a hands-on-experience to the seminars and conferences, for practical solutions to everyday issues faced in the healthcare industry, to enlighten the participants on the importance of patient safety and most of all, to impart knowledge. Attendees were expected to participate in a preworkshop survey and a post workshop evaluation as well. The Theme of the Workshop was “Patient Safety Culture” The 3rd Conference: in October 2011, the Society once again organized a conference for members on “Safety, Standards and Customer Service” in line with the growing awareness of the importance of Page 5 of 6
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customer service in healthcare. The conference was held over 2 days, and the opening address was given by the Minister of State for Health (duly represented) and the Key Note Address was given by the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Membership Today the society has a total of 288 members in its 4 different categories. Our members are classified into:
CATEGORY STUDENT STANDARD/ INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS/NGO’s CORPORATE ORGANIZATIONS
MEMBERS 33 230 16 9
FEES (N) 1,000 5,000 20,000 100,000
How to become a member Fill the membership Form or visit our website to fill the form, then pay in the membership fee for any of the categories (see table above) you fall into. Once you are done, send an email to sqhnigeria@gmail.com.
For more information, please send an email to info@sqhn.org or sqhnigeria@gmail.com
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