The Lagos State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has called for the immediate reversal and withdrawal of the new circular on certificate verification by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
An emergency state executive council meeting held on Friday in Lagos saw the council reaching this resolution.
The council emphasized that if there is no positive intervention by the close of business on Monday, February 12, 2024, they would consider other measures.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) had released a circular on the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives in the country.
The release of this circular followed PUNCH Online’s report that the council deactivated the verification portal in December 2023.
According to the new circular by the NMCN, nurses and midwives are required to have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license.
Nurses interviewed separately alleged that the deactivation of the portal was an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities abroad. They also suggested it was related to the government’s plan to reduce the number of health workers seeking opportunities abroad.
The circular, signed by the Registrar of the Council, Faruk Abubakar, stated that a refundable fee per application had to be paid for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on the portal. It also outlined other requirements for eligibility.
It was also mentioned that the implementation of the guidelines would take effect from March 1, 2024.
In response, a statement signed by the Secretary of the Lagos State Council of NANNM, Toba Odumosu, raised concerns about the intent and impact of certain aspects of the circular on the progress and welfare of its members.
The statement called for the NMCN to fully digitalize the verification process, provide the service at no extra cost, and optimize and automate its key processes for a 48-hour turnaround.
Furthermore, the council called on the Federal Government to immediately constitute the NMCN board to ensure proper representation of the interests of nurses and midwives in key decisions.
The council also urged the government at all levels to prioritize improving the working conditions, environment, and remuneration of nurses to curb the mass outward migration of members.
Additionally, it directed units to hold general meetings to sensitize members and exhaustively address the issue before considering further measures. It was also resolved that the State Council would consider other measures if no positive intervention was made by the close of business on Monday.