A group of registered nurses in Rivers State took to the streets on Tuesday and headed to the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to express their dissatisfaction with the recent circular issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria regarding certificate verification.
The nurses argue that the new verification guidelines infringe upon their fundamental human rights, sparking outrage and concerns among the nursing community.
Issued on February 7, 2024, the circular by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria introduced revised guidelines for the verification of certificates for nurses and midwives nationwide. It stipulates that individuals seeking verification for their certificates by foreign nursing boards must have a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience starting from the day they obtain their permanent practicing license.
These updated guidelines came into effect on March 1, 2024, prompting the nurses to voice their opposition through peaceful protests.
Approximately 20 protesters demanded not only fair compensation but also an end to malpractice within the profession, which they believe tarnishes their reputation.
The demonstrators, gathered at Isaac Boro Park, proceeded to the State Ministry of Health to deliver a written statement outlining their grievances and then marched to the Government House in Port Harcourt to present the same message.
During an interview with the media, Victoria Onuoha, one of the protesting nurses, lamented that the new guidelines impede their freedom of movement and hinder their educational pursuits.
Onuoha emphasized, “The restrictions placed upon us are unjust as they infringe upon our right to pursue further education and international opportunities essential for professional growth. We call upon His Excellency to advocate on our behalf against these restrictions.”
Another registered nurse, Juliet Chujor, urged the Nursing and Midwifery Council to address the prevalence of unqualified practitioners in the field, which she believes contributes to the scarcity of well-paying jobs for qualified nurses.
Chujor expressed her concerns, stating, “The issue of obtaining a letter of good standing is particularly challenging for female nurses. This places us at a higher risk of facing various forms of harassment.”
Besides opposing the new certification guidelines, the nurses also raised additional demands such as better wages, improved allowances, enhanced welfare benefits, an increase in the retirement age for nurses from 60 to 65, and the implementation of measures to protect nurses and midwives from workplace violence.