By: HighCelebritySquard
The Directorate of Nursing Services at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), hosted its 16th Annual Scientific Conference with the theme ‘’Our Nurses, Our Future: Sustainability of Best Nursing Practices in Brain Drain Period like This”, The event was held between the 5th Tuesday and 8th Friday, December 2023.
The Director Nursing Services LASUTH, Mrs. Adebola Aina, in her welcome address, said the brain drain the health sector is facing is largely due to push factors such as economic challenges (low average salary) and pull factors including, higher wages, security, higher standard of living, flexible accommodation and good working environment.
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, who was also the Chief Host of the event, officially opened the ceremony, saying how proud he is about the Nurses’ inclusion of a Scientific Conference in the celebration of the Nurses’ Week and how it has been upheld for years now.
He commented on the theme of the event, saying the ‘Japa Syndrome’ in the health sector is not just about the money but about other things like a conducive working environment, good education for children, affordable accommodation and transportation.
The CMD revealed that the management of the hospital is working on a research to know how the brain drain is affecting the quality of work within the hospital and to know its effect on its workers; and possible solutions and actions to be taken afterwards.
He concluded by encouraging the Nurses to be specific in their needs for the profession when making or presenting their requests to higher authorities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Health, Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, in her goodwill message said, she recently conducted a study and discovered that the brain drain in the Nursing Profession is basically based on poor leadership.
She charged the Nurses on the provision of quality care. “Patients have rights to quality care and this should not be compromised in any way”, she said. She also admonished the Nurses to be more involved in capacity building and join her to do what is best in the health sector.
The keynote Speaker Prof. Titilayo Odetola who is also Head of Nursing Department at the University of Ibadan, while giving her talk, said the brain drain is affecting patients, nurses and the health care system generally. She pointed out that if care is not taken, quacks will fill in the system and that would be the order of the day, if brain drain is not handled well.
She strongly encouraged Nurses to expose themselves and be available when policies are being made, so that changes in policies can be made in their favour.
Other activities during the celebration of the week include, Jumat Prayers at the LASUTH/LASUCOM Mosque, a thanksgiving service at the Chapel of St. Luke, The Physician, LASUTH, an awareness walk within the hospital, a courtesy visit to the management of the hospital and some outdoor sports and rounded up with an award ceremony.
