Pastoral caregivers in the Nigerian hospital context : a pastoral theological approach

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the relevance of Pastoral Caregivers (PCGs) in the Nigerian hospitalcontext from a pastoral theological perspective. It argues that illness is a reality that confrontsall humanity at certain times. It brings untold pain and suffering to the afflicted, physically,emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. As such, wholeness and health are some of themost important concerns of Nigerians and the global community as demonstrated by theMillennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The Nigerian quest forwholeness is a search for meaning, significance, and purpose in life especially in illness, painand suffering. This search involves questions about God's involvement in suffering. For thisreason, illness comprises a complex reality that defies easy remedy. However, affectedpersons often seek remedy in the hospital. But research shows that the medical model, despiteits benefits, has limited capacity to fulfil the human quest for meaning. Also, the Draft HealthPolicy for Nigeria (DHPN) (2005:np) and National Strategic Health Development Plan(NSHDP) 2010-2015 (2010:5) has also stated that the health system of Nigeria is poor andNigeria is not 'on track towards significant improvement in meeting the health expectationof its people inclusive of achieving the health MDGs (NSHDP 2010:10). However, theNSHDP 2010-2015 (2010:11) has also stated that a purposeful reform of the nationalhealthcare delivery system is necessary for strengthening the weak and fragile national healthdelivery system and improving its performance towards achieving quality caregiving andquality of life. In line with these Ministry of Health reform plans, this study argues that suchhealthcare reforms should necessarily include pastoral caregivers (PCGs) as valuable and anecessary human resource for health, partnership for health and research. Religion andspirituality (the domain of pastoral care) have been put forward as best responding to manypeople's quest for meaning.Consequently, this research has employed a practical theological methodology. Within thismethodology a postfoundationalist paradigm according to Park (2010) has been utilised. Inthis regard, the structure of the chapters is aligned with the four tasks of practical theology asproposed by Osmer (2008). It further utilised relevant literature in the fields of theology,medicine and other social sciences from within Nigeria, Africa and beyond. It has beenargued that the absence of meaningful pastoral care dimension is a significant weakness ofthe medical model as practised in Nigeria. It is inconsistent with the promotion of the healthof patients and the community which the Nigerian Code of Medical Ethics (2004) articulates as the goal of medicine in Nigeria. It is also inconsistent with the holistic view of Nigerianson illness. Additionally, it is not consistent with the National Policy on Private Partnershipfor Health in Nigeria (NPPPHN) (2005) declaration that 'alternative health providers, whosepractices are of proven value, shall be encouraged and supported as frontline of health careprovision for many people. As the above Nigerian policies on health suggest – and this isalso the position of this study – illness demands a holistic and multidisciplinary approach tocombat it. This study has established that pastoral care embodies a vision of wholeness whichresonates with the Nigerian holistic view of life whose practices are of proven value.Therefore, the inclusion of the PCG with a holistic theological approach into Nigerianhospital care could contribute to holistic and quality care of patients in hospitals. They couldcontribute towards the implantation of the NSHDP 2010-2015.This study is strongly motivated by the fact that human beings are made in the image of Godand deserve love, respect for their values and desires, and dignity especially in the face ofillness and suffering. Therefore, it recommends that hospitals and clinics in Nigeria should ofnecessity include PCGs in their hospitals and on their clinical team, as well as provide basictraining for all members of the medical team in the pastoral assessment of patients.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University