Standard Treatment Guidelines
Guideline · Health
Guidelines provide evidence-based treatment protocols for common diseases in Nigeria's health system. They target doctors, nurses, and pharmacists at all care levels. This promotes rational use of medicines.
Standard Treatment Guidelines
What Is This Policy?
A clinical reference that provides evidence-based treatment protocols for the most common diseases and conditions encountered at different levels of the Nigerian health system, guiding healthcare providers on appropriate diagnosis and prescribing.
Who Does It Target?
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers at all levels of care Hospital drug and therapeutics committees Medical and health training institutions Pharmaceutical procurement and supply chain managers
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Promote rational and cost-effective use of medicines across the Nigerian health system by providing healthcare workers with standardized, evidence-based treatment protocols linked to the Essential Medicines List.
Key Features
Condition-Specific Protocols: Treatment algorithms for infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, emergencies, and common paediatric and obstetric conditions Tiered Approach: Separate recommendations for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of care Essential Medicines Alignment: Prescribing recommendations tied to medicines on the National Essential Medicines List Dosage Tables: Clear dosing information for adult and paediatric patients Referral Criteria: Guidance on when to refer patients to higher levels of care
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active and distributed across health facilities Coverage: All levels of the healthcare system Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Services Division Partners: WHO, development partners, medical professional associations
How to Access
The guidelines are distributed to health facilities and are also used in medical and health training programmes. Health facilities receive copies through the Federal and state ministries of health Available through medical training institutions Contact the Pharmaceutical Services Division for updated editions
Official Resources
Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Pharmaceutical Services Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
Legal Framework
Issued under the National Health Act 2014, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act 1993. Draws on the WHO Model Formulary and Essential Medicines List, the ICH Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria clinical protocols.