Nurses in Lagos State Government hospitals have been urged to collaborate more effectively with other healthcare professionals to achieve the much-desired integrated care for patients.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, made the call during the Y2026 Retreat for Nurses held at The Zone, along the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway.
Delivering a lecture titled “Breaking Professional Silos in Healthcare: The Nurse as a Connector,” Ogunyemi encouraged nurses to see themselves as integral parts of the health system and to remain open to collaboration that will guarantee the best outcomes for patients.
Speaking at the two-day non-residential retreat, which had 100 nurses in physical attendance across various cadres and 80 others participating virtually, Ogunyemi — herself a nurse — stressed that healthcare workers can no longer operate in isolation.
“We can no longer work in silos; it will further fragment the system. As connectors, nurses must continue to contribute their quota to the best of their ability,” she said.
Also addressing participants, the Permanent Secretary, Health Service Commission (HSC), Dr Cecilia Abimbola Mabogunje, urged nurses to remain vigilant and alert while on duty to ensure that patient safety is never compromised.
“We need collaboration. Enough of doing things the old way. We are in a modern era of healthcare where all professionals must work together positively for integrated care and better patient outcomes,” she said.
She described nurses as custodians of patients and advised them to be participatory at all levels, irrespective of cadre or years of experience.
Delivering a lecture titled “Accountability and Shared Responsibilities in Integrated Care,” the Director of Nursing Services Department, HSC, Nurse Adebukola Cole, emphasised that the current frontier of healthcare delivery in Lagos is integrated care, where focus remains fully on patients.
She urged nurses to adopt the mindset: “It is our patients, not their patients,” encouraging follow-up across levels of care and a commitment to professionalism once inside the wards.
Cole also advised nurses to make effective use of the Job and Patients Allocation booklet for operational ease and urged ward managers to serve as role models.
“Be accountable to your patients, be responsible and punctual. Let patients trust you so you can deliver integrated care. Align everything you do with the THEMES Plus Agenda of government and your hospital. Leverage technology, and continue to train and retrain yourselves with a positive attitude,” she added.
The retreat also featured lectures on medical errors and prevention, financial planning, presentation of plaques and awards, zonal photo sessions, and the presentation of a retreat communiqué. Participants engaged in recreational activities including games, cultural displays, brain teasers and a gele-tying session.
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