National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos, organised a five-day training for resident doctors on `Effective Policy Making and Strategic Leadership`.
Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, declared the training open in Jos, Wednesday.
Represented by the Acting Secretary and Director of Administration of the institute, Professor Idris Adamu, Omotayo described the exercise as timely.
The director-general, who commended the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, for the partnership in shaping policies, said the training would equip the participants in repositioning Nigeria’s health sector.
“I commend the leadership of NARD for recognising the importance of strategic engagement, leadership development and policy literacy in addressing the complex challenges.
“Your presence here is great and will enable you to respond towards more constructive, structured, informed and sustainable approaches.
“Nigeria’s health sector operates within a highly complex policy environment, shaped by physical constraint of international priorities, institutional coordination challenges and growing pressures arising from workforce migration and rising public exploitation within this environment.”
According to him, resident doctors not only occupy a uniquely strategic position as critical service providers, but also future leaders of the health system.
The director-general added that the training, which aligns, particularly with its purpose, was designed to strengthen the understanding of the participants in policy making.
He said it would enhance their leadership and negotiation skills, equip them with practical tools for effective engagement.
Earlier, the National President of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, said the training would enable the participants to acquire leadership skills that would drive the health sector in the country.
Suleiman added that the training would arm participants with the knowledge and tools towards improving the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“NIPSS is the foremost and apex policy making institute in Nigeria and we are leaders in the health sector, albeit mid level, but soon and in the future, we will be top level leaders.
“It is important that we arm ourselves with the necessary tools required to salvage the health sector in Nigeria; this is not just for resident doctors, it is for our patients and the nation.
“Resident doctors are patriotic Nigerians, we stayed back to serve our country so that we can apply ourselves to the instruments the country has in training us for better and effective healthcare delivery.”
The president thanked NIPSS for availing NARD the opportunity to partner with it towards improving the health sector. NAN
