Smile Train Supports Strengthening Surgical Healthcare For Universal Health Coverage

Arising from the 5th annual National Surgical, Obstetrics, Anaesthesia and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) / Smile Train Cleft care stakeholders forum, participants have expressed their willingness to contribute to achieving universal health coverage for Nigerians.

The event which coincided with the Universal Health Coverage day as well as 25 years of Smile Train’s existence, reviewed the achievements of NSOANP 1 and was a platform for the final deliberations towards NSOANP 2.

The Chair, NSOANP Revision Sub-Committee, Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide in her speech revealed that, the aim of this meeting was to strengthen surgical, obstetrics, anaesthesia and perioperaive nursing healthcare in Nigeria.

According to her, “a lot of efforts are ongoing to strengthen surgical healthcare in the country. It is our hope that policy makers and development partners will commit to, and focus investments towards expanding access and ensuring quality service delivery”.

The Smile Train Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, Mrs Nkeiruka Obi delivered a speech which focused on advancing surgical healthcare and universal health coverage. She recounted the success of Smile Train in Nigeria and thanked all stakeholders for their continued support.

“Let me start by commending the tireless efforts of the planning and technical teams led by Prof. Emmanuel Ameh, who have upheld the framework of the National Surgical, Obstetric, Anesthesia, and Nursing Plan (NSOANP) as a beacon of sustained advocacy for health system strengthening.

“Smile Train has, over the past 20 years, demonstrated genuine commitment to cleft care by supporting over 50,000 Nigerian families, ensuring free, safe, and high-quality comprehensive cleft care.

“Through financial and resource support, Smile Train has elevated local workforce capacity across the cleft ecosystem, from surgery and anesthesia to psychosocial support and nutrition. Smile Train is indeed a life assurance for cleft patients.

“Our patient-centred approach aligns with the six WHO health system building blocks, prioritizing infrastructure, workforce development, service delivery, and governance. This has created a sustainable model that ensures every individual with cleft lip or palate in Nigeria can access life-changing care without financial barriers.

“Of great significance is the fact that, we have been able to deploy paediatric dedicated theatre’s across almost all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria. These theatre’s are running on solar energy and this is a game changer for us in the healthcare sector because it marks an end to power interruptions during surgical operations.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Daju Kachallu (mni), represented by the Director, Hospital Services, Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen (mni), emphasized that NSOANP is an integral part of Nigeria’s healthcare system and efforts are ongoing to strengthen its operations to ensure effective surgical healthcare for all Nigerians.

“I want you to know that NSOANP has come to stay. I therefore, call on stakeholders to put in place strategies that will ensure its sustenance.

The event which drew participants from the academia, professional societies and associations, the private sector, governmental agencies as well as individuals involved in surgical, obstetrics, anaesthesia as well as perioperative nursing healthcare delivery ecosystem, emphasized the need to expand quality, safe, timely and affordable surgical services to Nigerians who are currently underserved through strategic partnerships and collaborations.