A HEALTH Systems and Human Resources expert has emphasised that strategic human resources management remains central to building a healthy, productive workforce capable of driving national development, particularly within the healthcare sector.
Speaking on the evolving role of HR in both public and private institutions, the Human Resources Assistant Director of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Mrs. Rachel Adegbe, said in an interview with National Record that organisations must move beyond viewing HR as a support function and instead recognise it as a strategic driver of performance and accountability.
She explained that employees need to clearly understand how their daily actions and conduct directly affect service delivery outcomes and institutional credibility. “Your CV may get you the interview, but it is your attitude that keeps you on the job,” Mrs. Adegbe said, stressing that professionalism, integrity, and ethical behaviour are critical attributes, especially in sectors such as healthcare where public trust is essential.
According to her, unethical practices—ranging from poor patient engagement to falsification of records—do not only affect individuals but gradually weaken institutions and undermine national development efforts. She noted that effective HR strategy must therefore extend beyond recruitment to include continuous capacity building, mentorship, and consistent communication throughout the employee life cycle.
She explained that at IHVNhuman resources management is deliberately structured to support public health outcomes by ensuring that staff are not only technically competent but also aligned with the organisation’s values and mission. This includes investing in employee engagement, well-being, and purpose-driven work, recognising that motivation is often strengthened when workers understand the broader impact of their roles.
Mrs. Adegbe added that when employees feel valued, supported, and accountable, service delivery improves and organisational impact extends beyond the workplace, contributing to healthier communities and national development.
