The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) remains firm, refusing to retract the circular outlining new guidelines for verifying nurses‘ certificates and other rules of engagement recently released by the council.
Perhaps in response to pockets of peaceful protests from disgruntled nurses in states like Lagos and Abuja, who were demanding the immediate withdrawal of a circular released by the NMCN outlining new guidelines for verifying nurses’ certificates and addressing other issues, the explanation was provided.
The protesting nurses expressed their dissatisfaction, stating that the new verification guidelines are burdensome and unacceptable to them, demanding an immediate withdrawal.
The Registrar of the Council , Faruk Abubakar, affirmed on yesterday’s Morning Brief program on Channels TV that the new policies are here to stay. The objective is to curb the illegal activities of nurses, especially those opting to practice abroad.
He elaborated that the development of the new circular was additionally prompted by the increasing challenges and complaints the council has been receiving from employers regarding the unprofessional behavior exhibited by some nurses. These individuals showcase varying degrees of unprofessionalism in their work.
He said: “These nurses should know that the intention was not to witch-hunt them or slow their career growth. Rather, it was designed to promote and strengthen professionalism in the noble profession and also protect the profession from quacks.
“We have received several complaints from health facilities about the activities of the nurses. Some of the these nurses abscond from duty for days and even weeks, only for you to hear they have left the country for professional practice abroad with no proper resignation notification. That is unprofessional. Note that we are not against foreign practice but it is expected that it be done formally and rightly.
“For instance, in the last three years, over 42,000 nurses have left Nigeria for foreign practice. Last year alone, over 15,000 nurses left Nigeria to practice abroad. These are manpower that were trained in Nigeria but they choose to work outside Nigeria for whatever reason, which they are at liberty to do. It is a plus for our reputation and our economy, but our people back home also need their services. But one thing is certain, they must leave the country and the local practice the right way and not what is obtained now.
“The countries they are struggling to go have their own guidelines which everyone must abide by before such person is allowed to practice/handle patients.”
On matters concerning welfare and working conditions, Faruk emphasized that these fall under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Health. He confirmed that the Minister, Muhammad Pate, and the ministry’s management are actively working to enhance the remuneration and working conditions of nurses.
“It is also the duty of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) being a trade union representing nurses and midwives in Nigeria, to strengthen the push for better working conditions, and sustain the momentum until the desired goal is achieved. Just recently, they met with the minister of health and the management of the ministry where these issues were highlighted and discussed extensively. Some promises were made and commitments secured from the ministry on way of the issues.”
Meanwhile, Christiana Adeboboye, the Chairman of the Lagos chapter of NANNM, reiterated on yesterday’s Morning Brief program on Channels TV that the nurses would resist the council’s decision, considering it as harsh and a deliberate effort to undermine the career progression of nurses.
She conveyed to the council that nurses are opting for international practice due to numerous shortcomings in Nigeria, coupled with inadequate remuneration and working conditions.
“Rather than this harsh decision, the council should find out why nurses are leaving the country for professional practice abroad and solve the challenges.”
“Nurses are overworked because of the increasing manpower shortage in the health facilities. We have suggested more nurses are trained, and this they can do by accrediting more universities and other training institutions to produce more manpower.”
She urged the council to listen to the grievances of the protesting nurses, withdraw the circular, and make necessary adjustments by taking into account the interests and input of the nurses.
