The Society for Nurses in Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Surgery in Nigeria (SNEMIS) will host its fourth annual conference in Lagos this February, themed “Advancing Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Interventions in Africa: Recognizing Nurses’ Unique Roles Towards Optimal Care and Safe Outcomes.”

The conference will celebrate the vital roles of interdisciplinary surgical teams in ensuring optimal patient care and safe surgical outcomes in Nigeria.

Attendees, including surgical team members, will have the chance to learn from leading experts, gain hands-on experience, and network with healthcare professionals.

The event also aims to promote knowledge sharing and skills integration, critical for lifelong learning in advanced perioperative nursing education and global standards of practice.

SNEMIS-Nigeria is introducing Robotic-Assisted Surgery Instrumentation training, offering financial assistance for Nigerian perioperative nurses and healthcare professionals who may not have access to international training. The initiative is designed to help nurses adopt global best practices and provide essential support to returning diaspora surgeons offering advanced endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures.

Dr. Johnson Ogundare, Founder and CEO of SNEMIS-Nigeria, emphasized that this year’s conference will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, helping perioperative nurses stay committed to lifelong learning and improving patient outcomes. He also highlighted a Free-Colorectal Cancer Screening initiative, offering screenings to 100 Nigerians aged 45 and above, as part of the organization’s commitment to community health.

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The conference will be chaired by Mrs. Clare Omatseye, MD/CEO of JNC International Limited. Dr. Hammed Ninalowo, founder and CEO of IRDOC Nigeria, will deliver the keynote address on “Organizational Influences and Patient Outcomes: Building Nurses’ Capacity in Interventional Procedures and Minimally Invasive Surgery in Nigeria.”

Other expected guests include Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi, DSA, MSN/MHA; Special Adviser on Health to Lagos state Governor, Mr Alhassan Ndagi; Ag. Registrar/CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, (NMCN), Alhaja (Dr) Maymunat Abubakar; Provost, College of Nursing Science, Jahi, Abuja, among others.

A highlight of the conference will be a four-day workshop offering hands-on training in endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery, including sessions on robotics and modern equipment. The conference will also feature the first-ever Operating Room (OR) Managers’ Summit, providing a platform for hospital managers to collaborate and improve patient care.

SNEMIS-Nigeria has been advocating for early colorectal cancer detection for nearly a decade, stressing the importance of screenings for Nigerians aged 45 and above.