NEWS
Abia Specialist Hospital Trains House Officers, Intern Nurses on Person-Centred Healthcare and Effective Communication
The Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, has reaffirmed its commitment to raising healthcare standards by organising a capacity-building symposium for House Officers and Intern Nurses focused on strengthening interpersonal communication and delivering quality patient care.
The symposium, themed “Interpersonal Skills Through the Lens of ICE (Information, Concerns and Expectations): A Foundation for Person-Centred Care,” brought together young medical professionals for an intensive learning session aimed at equipping them with the essential communication skills required in modern healthcare practice.
In his opening address, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Chimezie Godswill Okwuonu, stressed that excellence in healthcare goes beyond clinical expertise. He noted that effective communication, empathy, professionalism, and teamwork are indispensable qualities for every healthcare professional, as they foster trust between caregivers and patients while improving treatment outcomes.
Dr. Okwuonu further urged the House Officers and Intern Nurses to remain committed to the ethics of the medical profession and embrace continuous learning as they strive to provide exceptional healthcare services to the people.
The highlight of the symposium was an engaging lecture delivered by Dr. Sam Umesiobi, who provided participants with practical strategies for applying the ICE model, Information, Concerns and Expectations, in everyday clinical interactions. The session focused on helping healthcare workers communicate more effectively, understand patients’ needs, build stronger therapeutic relationships, improve patient satisfaction, and deliver compassionate, person-centred care.
Speaking at the close of the programme, the Chief Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Mrs. Martha Nwachukwu, expressed appreciation to the resource person for delivering an impactful and insightful presentation. She described the House Officers and Intern Nurses as fortunate beneficiaries of the training and expressed confidence that the knowledge acquired would enhance their professional competence and ultimately improve the quality of healthcare services offered to patients.
The symposium reflects the hospital’s unwavering dedication to continuous professional development, capacity building, and the promotion of excellence in healthcare delivery, ensuring that patients receive compassionate, ethical, and high-quality m
edical care.