Nurses belonging to the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, staged a protest on Monday against the recently released certification verification guidelines by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Expressing their discontent, the nurses highlighted concerns about the potential hindrance to their career opportunities and urged the council to focus on addressing issues related to nurses’ welfare, salary scales, staff shortages, and other fundamental rights.
The protest, which took place at the NMCN’s office in Abuja, followed the issuance of a circular by the council on February 7, 2024, revising the guidelines for requesting certificate verification for nurses and midwives.
According to the circular signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, applicants seeking verification of certificates must fulfill specific requirements, including a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience, possession of an active practicing license, and submission of a letter of good standing from their place(s) of work and last nursing training institution.
Additionally, the circular stipulates that processing verification applications would take a minimum of six months, with the new guidelines set to be implemented from March 1, 2024.
During the protest, nurses and midwives voiced their grievances, emphasizing concerns such as unemployment among nurses, quackery, and the deteriorating welfare of healthcare professionals.
In response to the nurses’ complaints, the Registrar of the NMCN assured them that their concerns would be addressed promptly. He acknowledged their grievances and pledged to review the issues raised within a few days.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria is mandated to regulate the standards of nursing and midwifery education and practice in the country, ensuring the delivery of safe and effective healthcare services to the public through quality education and best practices.
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