We are working with stakeholders to develop world class Quality Assurance System In Nigeria- NSCC
Oru Leonard
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), says the Centre in partnership with relevant and key Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Consultants, Practitioners in Geriatrics and Gerontology have worked over many months collaboratively to develop a National Care Quality Assurance System for Care Giving to Older Persons in Domiciliary and other care settings in Nigeria.
Other expert groups working with NSCC in this regard are; Nursing, Social Work, Geriatric Social Care Psychology, Brain Health, Physiotherapy, Primary Public and Community Health as well as related Development partners, Representatives of Care Services providers to older persons, Research and Academia, Representatives of relevant Professional Associations and Regulatory agencies.
A statement signed by Mr Omini Oden,
Head, Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications of NSCC noted that the synergy spearheaded by NSCC has so far, successfully enabled the recognition of Care giving as a Skill, now admitted into Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) as well as developed and obtained the National Technical Board for Education (NBTE)) approval for the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for training and certification in 1 to 5 levels of programs for care givers. Levels 3 to 5 Certification is being integrated into Federal Civil Service Cadre for Employment.
NSCC Director General, Dr. Emem Omokaro says, the National Senior Citizens Centre has formalized Care giving to older persons – Geriatric Social Care; successfully developed regulatory frameworks, like the National Benchmark and minimum standards for accreditation of Care Homes and facilities and Standard Operating Procedures for Care administration.
Omokaro disclosed that in line with Nigeria Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and working with already listed Experts/Professional Associations/Stakeholders, the National Senior Citizens Centre and the National Board for Technical Education has put in place a National Geriatric Social Care Sector Skills Council – Assessors and evaluators of Training and Standards that will soon be inaugurated.
“NSCC in collaboration with stakeholders have also listed and transmitted for NBTE’s recognition; first phase Institutional Category; 20 Training Providers/Training Centres across the country. NSCC has developed modalities and Standard Operating Procedures and Regulatory Framework for formalizing Agency model of Care Services (retailing) Care givers to Older Persons wherever, in homes and communities they chose to live and portals for registrations; promoting Ageing in Place.
“NSCC will continue to work with Commissioners for Health, Social and in the Humanitarian Space at the State level and Federal Capital Territory for buy-ins. Also, NSCC is seeking experts, actors and partners contribution of expertise and experience to the national project.
“Meanwhile while appreciating all the partners, NSCC Director General, Emem Omokaro says in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Board for Technical Education, World Health Organization, UN DESA and relevant stakeholders, NSCC will soon be hosting a Multi Agency and multi-disciplinary Capacity Enhancement Workshop and unveiling of Resources”, the statement concluded.
