FG Establishes National Task Force on Clinical Governance, Patient Safety
FG Establishes National Task Force on Clinical Governance, Patient Safety
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has established a National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety to strengthen quality standards and accountability in Nigeria’s health system.
The ministry said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes, patient experience and workforce performance across the country.
The task force is expected to develop and operationalise sustainable clinical governance structures, patient safety standards and monitoring mechanisms within the health sector.
Also, the task force will serve as a strategic platform for integrating quality assurance and patient safety into all levels of health service delivery. The initiative also aligns with global recommendations by international health and development bodies urging low- and middle-income countries to prioritise high-quality, people-centred care in achieving universal health coverage.
The task force’s mandate includes conducting a national assessment of clinical governance and patient safety practices, developing standardised national frameworks and policies, strengthening systems for reporting and responding to patient safety incidents and promoting adherence to evidence-based clinical standards across health facilities.
Other responsibilities include institutionalising a culture of quality improvement at facility, state and national levels, building capacity for health workers and managers, enhancing patient and community engagement in safety initiatives, and establishing national indicators to monitor quality and safety performance.
The body will also coordinate stakeholders across federal and state institutions, regulatory agencies, professional bodies and the private sector.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, was named chair of the task force while the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, will serve as alternate chair. The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, is a member, while the Director of Hospital Services will act as secretary.
Membership also includes heads of key health regulatory councils, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, representatives of medical and professional associations, state health commissioners, civil society groups and international health experts.
The ministry said additional experts may be co-opted as required.
Members of the task force are expected to contribute their expertise and resources toward strengthening clinical governance and improving patient safety across Nigeria’s health system.
