Challenges and Enhancement of Medical Social Workers in Public Health Facilities in Nigeria

‘There is not much we can do’: The roles and challenges of Nigeria's child protection social workers

Research on the challenges child protection social workers (CPSWs) face has increased remarkably in developed nations with the goal of finding sustainable solutions. There is a significant number of vulnerable children in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), yet little is documented and known about the role of CPSWs in supporting the children, and the challenges they face that must be addressed to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. The study presents findings from in‐depth interviews with 11 certified social workers recruited from five non‐governmental organizations in Lagos and Kano states, Nigeria. A realist thematic methodological analysis was performed on the data. Findings were organized and discussed around two major themes including child‐focused remedial work and challenges encountered. Providing essential remedial services such as food, clothing, shelter and counselling/therapeutic services emerged as the primary responsibilities of Nigerian child protection social workers (NCPSWs). Their work‐related challenges include frustration due to limited resources and resistant children, shortages of social workers and high caseloads, whereas systemic challenges include the non‐adoption and non‐implementation of the 2003 Child Rights Act (CRA), the lack of legal recognition for the profession and government support. Implications and recommendations are drawn for practice, policy, and research.

Difficult but achievable: medical social workers' experiences transiting older adults from hospital care to nursing home in Nigeria

Very few literatures have focused on transition of older adults from hospitals to nursing homes in African region. As a first step, this study explored the experience of medical social worker when transiting older adult from the hospital to nursing home in southwestern region of Nigeria. A descriptive qualitative approach collected through a semi-structured interview among 16 medical social workers showed that there is limited availability of nursing home facilities in Nigeria. Additionally, bureaucratic and administrative hurdles often added to the complexities of facilitating seamless transitions into nursing care homes. Cultural beliefs and family dynamics exert a substantial influence on the decision-making process, making the task of medical social workers even more intricate. There is a need for a greater support from policymakers and healthcare authorities to address the challenges facing Nigerian medical social workers. Hence, to better understand and address these experiences, the healthcare system can better equip medical social workers to navigate the transitions effectively and ensure the well-being of older adults during this crucial phase of their lives is adequately supported.