The Guild of Medical Directors has emphasized the need for stronger infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities. This call comes after an assessment of 415 facilities in Lagos, which found that 48.8 per cent had inadequate infection prevention and control systems. The assessment used the World Health Organisation Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework. The Guild warned that weak infection prevention could contribute to healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and the spread of infectious diseases.
Dr. Olayemi Daudu, speaking at the GMD Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting, stressed that infection prevention should be treated as a standard of care driven by healthcare leadership. She noted that infection prevention is not the responsibility of a single department but a standard of care driven by governance. Medical directors are charged with this responsibility. The assessment revealed that private facilities performed better than public facilities, but none reached the advanced level.
The Guild proposed a 90-day IPC compact for member hospitals to address the gaps in infection prevention and control. The compact includes facility assessments, regular audits, stronger laboratory links, improved hand hygiene, surgical-site infection surveillance, facility antibiograms, and outbreak-readiness measures. Dr. Daudu also called for closer collaboration among healthcare facilities, laboratories, and public health agencies. She emphasized that infection prevention is not a cost centre but a licence to operate.
Dr. Adefolarin Opawoye highlighted the need for healthcare facilities to recognise suspected infectious diseases early and respond promptly. He identified Ebola, mpox, COVID-19, cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, and antimicrobial resistance as threats requiring sustained attention. Facilities need effective triage, designated isolation areas, surveillance systems, and clear links with Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers.
Opawoye also called for continuous training for healthcare workers and appropriate vaccination where indicated. Facilities should conduct emergency drills and maintain clear procedures for notification and referral. The WHO IPCAF tool provides healthcare facilities with a structured self-assessment covering eight areas of infection prevention and control. This helps facilities identify gaps and strengthen their systems.
Dr. Omoniyi Fagbemi, Chairman of the GMD Lagos Chapter, stressed the need to strengthen healthcare standards. The Guild requires members to enrol in a quality improvement programme, with Care Level Three expected to become the minimum standard. Healthcare providers must protect patients, staff, and facilities while responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases.
Dr. Ayobami Kuyoro urged healthcare organisations to reduce their dependence on individual medical directors and build systems capable of functioning effectively without them. Sustainable healthcare organisations require strong leadership, succession planning, institutional knowledge, financial discipline, effective technology, and data-driven decision-making. Medical directors approaching retirement should prepare the next generation of leaders and ensure their organisations remain viable.
Key points
- The Guild of Medical Directors calls for stronger infection prevention and control measures in Nigerian hospitals.
- An assessment of 415 Lagos facilities found 48.8 per cent had inadequate infection prevention and control systems.
- Medical directors propose a 90-day IPC compact to address gaps in infection prevention and control.
