AMSWON urges President Buhari to assent Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill

•Holds workshop on ‘Assessing and Understanding Trauma in Clinical Social Work Practice’ August 18

Ahead of its Yearly Socio-Scientific Conference/Training scheduled for August 18 and 19, 2022, at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, the Lagos state chapter of the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON), an association of social workers working in the health sector, has commended the National Assembly for passing the Nigerian Council for Social Work (Establishment) Bill and called on Mr. President to assent to it, when it gets to his table, to give the profession the needed legal backing in Nigeria as we have in other countries.

Chairman, AMSWON, Osaro Galvin Aikpitanyi, in a statement, yesterday, also, implored other state governments to emulate Lagos state in employing Medical Social Workers in all their hospitals and health related facilities to enable patients in their states to benefit from the contribution of medical social workers to the holistic management of patients.

He said the theme for this year’s conference, “Assessing and Understanding Trauma in Clinical Social Work Practice,” was selected due to the current trend of traumatic conditions being experienced by Nigerians as a direct result of insecurity, inflation and continued insurgency. He said physical trauma can be seen but immediate and long-term psychological trauma can often be missed. “It is in this vein that AMSWON has proactively decided to engage Medical Social Workers and other relevant stakeholders within the health sector in training and presentations on trauma and trauma focused interventions,” Aikpitanyi said.

Aikpitanyi believes that the interactions at the conference/training will enhance the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and improve patients’ experience.

He added: “Social work is legally recognised all over the world as a practice-based profession and academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of the vulnerable, oppressed, deprived, at-risk and traumatised people in the society.”