The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives on Tuesday said it will stop at nothing to ensure that the concerns raised by its members are properly and promptly addressed.
Nurses under the aegis of NANNM on Monday protested at the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s offices in Abuja and Lagos, respectively, to express their displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities, asking the council to address nurses’ welfare, salary scale, shortage of staff, and other rights.
NMCN, in its revised certificate verification guidelines, stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license.
NANNM is the umbrella body of professional nurses and midwives who are trained, registered, and licensed to practice the nursing profession at all the levels of healthcare delivery system in the country.
Meanwhile, a circular issued by NANNM titled “Re: Revised guidelines for verification of certificate(s), dated February 13, 2024, stated that it is aware of complaints from the members of the association.
The circular signed by the General Secretary of NANNM, Thomas Ahmed Shettima, was addressed to the state secretaries/PROs of the association, NANNM state councils and FCT Abuja, NANNM Secretaries, and NANNM specialty groups.
The circular partly read, “The attention of the National Secretariat of NANNM has been drawn to the recent circular issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria with ref No: NMCN/SG/RO/MH/14/VOL.1/40 and dated February 7th, 2024.
“The Secretariat is also in receipt of letters of complaints from Some State Councils of the Association against certain provisions of the revised guidelines.
Arising from the foregoing the National leadership of NANNM had engaged the Registrar/CEO of the NMCN on a series of meetings on February 12th, 2024, and is in consultation with relevant Government agencies on the subject matter.
“We want to assure all our members nationwide and indeed the entire Nigeria Nurses and Midwives that the Association (NANNM) will stop at nothing in ensuring that the concerns raised are properly and promptly addressed. It should be noted that presently, the Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria like most Statutory Boards have been dissolved by the Federal Government.”
It, however, said it is believed that all relevant agencies of government involved with the matter will address and resolve most of the issues and concerns of the nurses before the implementation of the revised guidelines on March 1, 2024.
“While we appreciate the commitment of the Nigerian Nurses to the promotion and maintenance of excellence in Nursing training, practice, verifications, and respect for the dignity of labour of nurses in Nigeria with the best global practice, we urge you to remain calm and be in the state of indestructible vigilance.
“Finally, we want you to assure our members of the association’s commitment to always act in their best interest,” it added.