Abstract

WHO1 indicated that Nigeria faces the most pressing health workforce challenges relating to universal health coverage. They further suggested that nurses, doctors, and midwives are below the global median (that is 49 per 10,000 residents). Brain drain is a major issue in Nigeria health sector, which is attributed to lack of motivation and facilities to encourage medical workers in the country. On account of increasing health workers’ mobility and migration to developed countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, and some European nations for greener pastures; hence it is highly imperative to create a framework for employee retention and productivity in Nigeria medical sector. Safety, compliance and working conditions priority are crucial for well- being and staffs productivity. Hence, this study aimed to examine the effects of safety programs, compliance policies and working conditions on health workers productivity among hospitals in Nigeria. This is to know different programs and policies that can be incorporated to improve medical sector in Nigeria. This study focused on Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Which were employed to find relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Also the descriptive analyses were conducted on the demographic variables and to find participants (medical practitioners) views on different initiatives that can be leverage to improve safe work environment and hospital staffs wellbeing. The findings showed the acceptance of the three hypotheses. As it was found that there is significant positive relationship between safety programs, compliance policies, working conditions and health workers performance in Nigeria hospitals. Likewise, the descriptive analysis showed initiatives such as development of Care Quality Commission will help to improve safe working place among hospitals. Likewise, incorporation of psychological training in patient safety and staff wellbeing as integral part of all National Health services work plan as well as professional training curricula of healthcare staff will help to improve safety in healthcare as well as improve wellbeing of the staffs. Furthermore, appraisal, merit awards and Continuing Professional Development are very important for staff motivation and well-being. Additionally, sharing of safety data across the industry will assist to improve safe work environment among hospitals. While user-friendly medical technology and devices will help to improve safety in the medical environment. Hence, these programs and policies are recommended to Nigeria hospitals to improve health workers job satisfaction, productivity and retention.

Keywords

healthcare workers’ productivity, safety programs, compliance measures, working conditions, employee motivation, brain drain, Nigerian hospitals