ETERMINED to reduce and eliminate errors and negligenCe that are often hazardous to patients, the Minister of Health prof. onyebuchi Chukwu, has charged federal tertiary hospltals of the imperatives of ensuring compliance with the World Health organization's (WHO) checklist for surgical safety. According to press statement signed by the special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, ChukWU issued the directive during a meeting with the Forum of Chairmen of Boards of 

Federal Tertiary Institutions in his office in Abuja. The minister, who likened the WHO checklist to the safety checklist observed by pilots before the takeoll of an aircraft, said it improves the safety of surgery by reducing complications and deaths. ChukWU recalled the dismissal of some consultants and resident doctors in some federal hospitals for neglIgence, saying that If the checklist is used as a scandacd procedure in our hospitals, the unfortUnate incidences that led to the sack of the doctors would have been avoided. 

The minister lamented'that most of the criticisms against the Federal Ministry of Health arise from the situations in the hospital, and mandated the forum to take necessary'actions to ensure the realization of President Goodluck Jonathan's vision for health.'" He thanked them for steps already taken in thatdirection, and charged them to do more to make our hospitals attractive to Nigerians. ChukWU listed critical areas of intervention such as environmental hygiene, out-of-stock syndrome in 

pharmacies, long waiting time and quality of services to patients. 

Earlier in his speech. the Chairman of the Forum of Boards of Federal Tertiary Institutions, colonel Austin Akobundu (rtd) said the forum could be an instrUment for action driven health policies for Nigeria. He sought the support of the minister to the boards in their determination to use the principles of SERVICOM and Clinical Governance and Accountability to ensure that citizens get prompt. efficient and pleasant services at all federal hospitals nationwide. He informed that minister that they would actively work to engender and fromote a harmonious work relationship amongst all healthcare professiOnals and healthcare workers, empower the staff for greater productivity through improvement of work environment, reward for excellence and high productivity, as well as swift but fair punishment for wrong doing after due diligence investigation as prescribed in the public service rules.