The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has supported the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to develop a continuing professional development (CPD) course on preventing violence in Nigeria.

The Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC, James Matthews, said the support reflected the organisation’s commitment to creating safer environments for healthcare workers, patients and communities, where violence would not become routine.

Mr Matthews said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a three-day workshop organised by the NMCN to develop the CPD course on De-escalation of Violence in Healthcare Settings specifically for practising nurses.

He said research on violence affecting healthcare delivery in Nigeria highlighted the need to address challenge while strengthening capacity to prevent, recognise and respond to situations that could escalate into violence.

According to him, healthcare workers should perform their duties in environments where they are treated with dignity and respect.

He emphasised that violence should not become an accepted feature of healthcare delivery.

Mr Matthews said the CPD course would complement work already undertaken with the NMCN to strengthen Protection of Healthcare within nursing education while translating foundational knowledge into practical skills for practising nurses.

He explained that de-escalation was not about managing difficult behaviour, but involved effective communication, recognising early warning signs, appropriate intervention, personal safety and preserving healthcare workers’ ability to continue providing care.

The ICRC official commended NMCN for leading the development of a structured professional response to violence in healthcare settings, while appreciating experts and practitioners participating in the workshop for contributing experience.

He said the ICRC was committed to supporting the initiative through its technical expertise and experience in protecting healthcare, expressing hope that the workshop would produce a practical, sustainable CPD course.

In his welcome address, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the NMCN, Dagi  Alhassan, said the subject was relevant because nurses and midwives provided care in spite of circumstances in healthcare settings.

Mr Alhassan said healthcare workers in facilities faced aggression, threats, hostility, emotional distress, overcrowding and conflict, among circumstances capable of escalating into violence, requiring professionals to develop appropriate communication and intervention skills.

He said the situation placed responsibility on regulators, educators, healthcare institutions and professionals to ensure nurses and midwives were prepared to provide clinical care, recognise early warning signs and prevent escalation.

Mr Alhassan expressed appreciation to the ICRC for its continued partnership and support, including assistance previously provided during validation of the reviewed ND/HND Nursing curriculum and Basic Emergency Care training in Nigeria.

He said the ICRC’s support enabled participants to engage meaningfully in those exercises, adding that the council valued the organisation’s continued commitment to strengthening nursing and midwifery professionals’ capacity in Nigeria.

He urged resource persons participating in the workshop to contribute professional experience, practical knowledge and constructive perspectives towards developing a CPD module relevant to realities faced by nurses and midwives nationwide.

He also commended council management and staff for their commitment and hard work in organising and supporting the workshop, expressing confidence that the three-day engagement would produce meaningful outcomes for nursing.

The Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, Protection of Healthcare Programme, ICRC Nigeria, Juliet Unubi, said the initiative represented a next step following integration of the Protection of Healthcare module into nursing education.

Ms Unubi said the ICRC-supported CPD initiative was designed to support nurses in professional practice by providing tools to recognise warning signs, communicate effectively, respond safely and appropriately, and seek additional support.

She said the ICRC strongly emphasised partnerships and was pleased to undertake the work with NMCN, adding that previous and ongoing activities formed part of its commitment to safer healthcare delivery.

Ms Unubi expressed optimism that the collaboration would strengthen nurses’ preparedness to manage potentially violent situations, protect themselves and patients, and maintain continuity of healthcare services even under challenging circumstances in Nigeria.

The three-day workshop is expected to support a sustainable CPD module strengthening nurses’ skills in communication, early risk identification, prevention, intervention and referral. 

(NAN)