Sodiq Ojuroungbe
A group of Nigerian nurses under the aegis of the Nursing Group Administrators has accused the leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives of abandoning them over the new certificate verification guidelines set up by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
They alleged that despite continuous demonstrations and protests, NANNM has not been able to adequately represent nurses’ interests as regards the new verification guidelines.
The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.
These guidelines include non-refundable fees, a minimum of two years post-qualification experience, an active practising license, and a processing time of at least six months.
Nurses, however, expressed concerns over what they described as stringent conditions imposed on applicants seeking verification of certificates for foreign nursing boards or councils.
They argued that the requirements, coupled with the NMCN’s slow verification process, hinder their ability to pursue better professional and economic opportunities abroad.
Speaking at a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday, representatives of the group claimed that the NANNM leadership’s silence suggests they are in support of the NMCN’s new guidelines.
One of the representatives, Edike Osemeke, argued that NANNM was not proactive in advocating for its members and ensuring that their concerns were addressed by the relevant authorities.
He insisted that NANNM has abandoned Nigerian nurses despite their consistent payment of monthly dues.
Osemeke said the group oppose the new NMCN’s verification guidelines, insisting that the rules are impractical and detrimental to the advancement of healthcare standards in Nigeria.
He stated that excessive documentation demands and extensive waiting periods serve as significant barriers hindering nurses from acquiring knowledge and career advancement.
He stressed that the new NMCN’s verification guidelines would exacerbate the existing skills gap within the country, noting that international exposure may also have a positive impact on the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The nurse maintained that the policy tends to make nursing education and the profession less attractive as many individuals may seek education outside the country.
While calling for immediate withdrawal of the verification guidelines, Osemeke said there is a need for a revision, which must prioritise practicality, accessibility, and the advancement of healthcare standards in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, we implore the NMCN to engage in meaningful dialogue with the public, nursing associations, advocacy groups, and relevant stakeholders to develop a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient verification process that upholds the integrity of nursing practice while safeguarding the well-being of nurses and the communities they serve.
“Failure to address these grievances and rectify the flaws in the current policy will exacerbate the crisis facing the Nigerian healthcare system, jeopardizing the health and safety of millions of citizens.
“Urgent action is imperative to rectify this untenable situation and restore trust in the regulatory framework governing nursing practice in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Nursing Group Administrators, we strongly denounce the arbitrary and unjustified imposition of the new nursing verification rules by the NMCN. This ill-conceived decision has sparked widespread outrage and demonstrates a blatant disregard for the welfare of nursing professionals and the patients under their care.
“The implementation of these rules by the NMCN represents a direct assault on the integrity of the nursing profession. By imposing onerous verification requirements, the NMCN has erected unnecessary barriers that impede qualified nurses from practising and delivering essential healthcare services with confidence. This not only undermines the credibility of nursing professionals but also jeopardizes the quality of patient care nationwide,” he added.
On his part, Cletus Onyekosor called on NANNM to take a more proactive role in advocating for its members and ensuring that their concerns are addressed by the relevant authorities.
The nurse insisted that the lack of transparency and consultation in formulating the verification guidelines underscores a profound disregard for the voices of the nursing community.
According to him, NMCN has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, disregarding the concerns and insights of those directly impacted by what he described as draconian measures.
He said, “It is evident that these rules serve no purpose other than to exert arbitrary control and authority over nursing professionals. They do not enhance nursing practice standards or protect patient interests. Instead, they create unwarranted obstacles that impede the dedication and effectiveness of the nursing workforce in delivering essential healthcare services, particularly during unprecedented health crises.
“We demand immediate action from the NMCN to revoke these unjust rules and engage in genuine consultation with nursing professionals and relevant stakeholders. The continued enforcement of these regulations will exacerbate the crisis in healthcare delivery, leading to dire consequences for both nurses and patients.
“Addressing the concerns raised by younger nurses regarding workload distribution, the reluctance of hospital management to hire additional staff, and toxic work culture is paramount. Policy decisions should be enacted to prevent mistreatment, ensure fair workload distribution, and foster a supportive work environment to retain young nurses and mitigate migration to alternative work settings.
“We advocate for the establishment of a robust and objective feedback mechanism by the council and government to monitor the decision-making factors and challenges faced by critical healthcare workforce members like nurses. This can be achieved through regular workforce surveys, exit interviews, and ongoing engagement with relevant associations.
“Building an evidence-based approach will enable more proactive and responsive policy interventions, both in financial and non-financial incentives, to maintain a skilled and motivated nursing workforce.
“Government retention incentives must be attractive and commensurate with the risks and sacrifices undertaken by nurses to remain competitive amidst local and international migration opportunities.
“We are confident that implementing the aforementioned recommendations will foster better retention of nurses in the service of the Nigerian government.”
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