Nigeria Sets Up National Task Force To Reduce Medical Errors And Boost Patient Safety

The Federal Government has launched a National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety aimed at strengthening clinical oversight, reducing medical errors, and improving patient safety across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, through a post on X, where he outlined the task force’s mandate, membership, and terms of reference.

“In furtherance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has established the National Task Force on Clinical Governance and Patient Safety,” Mr Pate said.

The task force will be chaired by Mr Pate, with the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, serving as the alternate chair.

“The task force is established to support the development and operationalisation of sustainable clinical governance and patient safety structures, standards, and accountability mechanisms that improve health outcomes, enhance patient experience, and strengthen workforce performance across the Nigerian health system,” Mr Pate noted.

The creation of the task force follows growing concerns about medical errors and negligence within Nigeria’s healthcare sector, affecting both public and private health facilities.

Recent public attention was drawn to the issue after acclaimed Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie alleged medical negligence following the death of her 21-month-old son, sparking renewed national conversations around patient safety, accountability, and healthcare standards.

Research indicates that medical errors are widespread. A 2025 study published in the African Research Journal of Medical Sciences reported that medical error prevalence among Nigerian healthcare practitioners ranged between 42.8 per cent and 89.8 per cent, with 33.3 per cent of patients suffering additional injuries linked to treatment.

In the task force’s terms of reference, Mr Pate emphasised that despite progress in expanding access to healthcare services, “preventable deaths and disabilities due to poor-quality care continue to undermine these gains.”

He referenced global data showing that in low- and middle-income countries, 60 per cent of avoidable deaths result from poor-quality care, while 40 per cent are caused by limited access to services. Worldwide, this equates to between five and eight million deaths each year, with medication errors alone costing an estimated $42 billion annually.

“The high rates of preventable errors, fragmented service delivery, and limited workforce capacity have prompted calls for coordinated national oversight,” he noted.

According to the health minister, the National Task Force will function as a strategic platform for embedding quality assurance and patient safety into every level of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The initiative aligns with recommendations from global bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, OECD, and The Lancet Global Health Commission, which urge low- and middle-income countries to prioritise high-quality, people-centred care as the foundation for Universal Health Coverage.

The task force will also support Nigeria’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3.8, which focuses on access to quality essential health services, and contribute to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

Mr Pate explained that the committee will be responsible for developing and standardising national clinical governance and patient safety frameworks, policies, and implementation guidelines to ensure consistent standards across health facilities nationwide.

It will also reinforce systems for preventing, reporting, and responding to adverse events and patient safety incidents, encouraging accountability while reducing avoidable harm.

Additionally, the task force will focus on building workforce capacity through training, mentorship, and structured oversight, equipping healthcare workers and managers with the tools needed to manage risks and deliver safer care.

The task force is initially mandated to operate for 12 months, with meetings held monthly either virtually, in hybrid format, or in person as required.

Mr Pate said the initiative directly tackles longstanding systemic challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including frequent misdiagnosis, weak provider-patient communication, fragmented service delivery, and insufficient accountability mechanisms.

He noted that vulnerable populations, particularly low-income and less-educated groups, are disproportionately affected by these shortcomings, underscoring the need for a coordinated national response.

“Reducing preventable harm and improving quality of care require institutional structures that define responsibilities, enforce standards, and promote continuous learning across all levels of care,” he said.