FMoH partners PharmAccess to roll out safecare programme in federal tertiary hospitals

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PharmAccess Foundation to introduce SafeCare quality improvement programmes in federal tertiary hospitals across Nigeria. The agreement was formalised through the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC) and marks the beginning of efforts to embed quality standards across the country’s tertiary health system.

The partnership seeks to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and build capacity among health workers. It also aims to transform federal tertiary hospitals into centres of excellence that deliver safe, efficient and patient-centred care.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior government officials, regulators, and sector leaders. Key participants included the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Kunle Salako, represented by Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics; Jimoh Olawale Salaudeen, Director of Hospital Services at the Ministry; Fatima Kyari, Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN); Rufai Yusuf Ahmad, Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria; Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess Nigeria; Ibironke Dada, Programme Director of SafeCare; Emem Bassey, Chairman of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals; and Peggy Imoniovu, Programme Manager of SafeCare.

In his welcome remarks, Philip Abiodun, Chairman of NTHISC, said the collaboration was a step towards making quality a standard across all tertiary facilities. He explained that NTHISC is mandated to set minimum standards for tertiary hospitals, inspect and accredit them for compliance, and advise the government on service delivery, financing, workforce training, and research priorities.

According to him, the partnership with PharmAccess will support structured assessments, performance ranking and capacity building across hospitals. “The data generated will guide resource allocation, training priorities, and investments to improve service delivery. This MoU marks the beginning of a new phase in our journey toward significantly improved tertiary healthcare services that Nigerians can be proud of,” he said.

Delivering the keynote, Salako, represented by Shoretire, emphasised that quality healthcare is “the backbone of a thriving nation” and key to improving national productivity. He added that government’s focus on tertiary hospitals covers not only infrastructure but also service delivery.

“Our federal tertiary hospitals must transform into vibrant hubs of healing and hope,” the Minister said. “This partnership will ensure that patients not only receive excellent medical care but are treated with dignity and compassion. Together, we are building trust between patients and providers and securing a healthier future for generations to come.”

Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess, described the MoU as a milestone for Nigeria’s health sector. She noted that SafeCare has been implemented in over 24 countries and more than 9,000 facilities worldwide. In Nigeria, it has been piloted in three tertiary hospitals with positive results.

Dada added that SafeCare’s phased 24-month approach will support hospitals to strengthen quality teams, digitise systems, and sustain improvements. She highlighted results at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, which recorded measurable improvements after adopting the framework.

Under the MoU, NTHISC and PharmAccess will carry out baseline assessments, provide technical support, train quality teams, and monitor progress using digital platforms that track hospital performance in real time.

The initiative supports the Federal Government’s Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which seeks to reduce financial hardship, improve patient experience, and ensure equitable health outcomes nationwide.