By Biola Lawal
The 157th Inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar,
A University Don, Prof. Regina Etita Ella has enjoined government to give nurses a seat at the table in health policy discussions, stressing that their involvement in decision-making is vital for effective healthcare delivery.
She gave the charge while speaking as the 157th Inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar, at the Godswill Akpabio International Conference Centre, a statement by the University’s Public Relations Unit disclosed.
The inaugural lecture had the topic, “Nursing At The Crossroads: Transforming Lives Through The Intersection of Public Health Nursing, Nursing Education And Cultural Dynamics In Healthcare Delivery”.
Prof. Ella said giving nurses a voice during policy formulation, implementation and evaluation will ultimately lead to better patient care and healthcare outcomes.
The Don also called on Government and institutions to prioritize funding for nursing schools, faculty development and curriculum reform, which she said, can be achieved by integrating cultural competence, leadership health policy, and community health modules into foundational training.
She said a strong educational system is essential to equip nurses with advanced clinical skills, leadership capabilities, public health expertise, and cultural competence.
The inaugural lecturer said curricula must integrate public health principles, global health perspectives, and interprofessional collaboration to produce nurses who can address community-level challenges and participate in health policy formulation.
Ella, a Professor of Nursing Education, added that every nurse, whether working in a hospital, school or home, should be equipped with the competencies of a public health advocate to be able to access populations, implement health promotion, and engage communities.
Identifying nurses as the backbone of healthcare delivery, especially in underserved and rural communities, she noted that nurses make up the largest population of the global healthcare workforce, representing over 50% of health professionals in many countries.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Offiong Efanga Offiong, in his remarks, commended the inaugural lecturer for her thought-provoking lecture.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Afam Okiwelu, the Vice Chancellor described Prof. Ella’s lecture as a significant contribution to the field of nursing and healthcare delivery.
He noted that Prof. Ella’s emphasis on integrating cultural competence, leadership health policy, and community health modules into nursing education is a step in the right direction for the profession.
The lecture concluded with the presentation of a memento to the inaugural lecturer by the Deputy Vice Chancellor on behalf of the Vice Chancellor