Federal Government has set up a National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety to address rising cases of medical negligence and improve patient care across public and private hospitals.
The task force, announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, will develop national standards, policies, and accountability mechanisms to prevent medical errors and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.
“The National Task Force will serve as a strategic platform for integrating quality and patient safety into all aspects of health service delivery,” Prof. Pate said, noting that the initiative aligns with global efforts to prioritise high-quality, people-centred care.
The move comes amid growing public concern over medical negligence in Nigeria, including the recent death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi, son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, reportedly due to medical errors at a Lagos hospital. Other recent incidents include a woman in Kano allegedly left with surgical scissors inside her abdomen, and a Lagos resident claiming urinary damage from a wrongly inserted catheter.
Prof. Pate said the task force will focus on systemic improvement rather than blame, conducting national assessments of clinical governance and patient safety, promoting adherence to evidence-based standards, and strengthening mechanisms for reporting and learning from adverse events.
The body will also support training for health workers, enhance patient and community engagement, and monitor performance through national indicators to ensure accountability and quality care.
“This initiative contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3.8 on quality essential health services,” the minister said.
The task force is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the broader Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, reflecting a government push to strengthen health systems and protect patients.
