The Nigerian Nurses in Oyo State have rejected the recently revised guidelines for certificate of verification for nurses nationwide.
Nurses from different hospitals in the state staged a peaceful protest against the new guidelines on Thursday.
Recently, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), in a memo dated February 7, 2024, outlined the revised guidelines and requirements to be met by all applicants seeking the verification of certificate(s) to foreign nursing boards/councils
In the memo, the body said that eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence. Any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected outrightly.
Nurses in Oyo State have described the new policy describing it as anti-people and called for a reversal of the new policy..
Spokesman for the protesting nurses, Israel Fawole, said that nurses in the state have studied the circular carefully and observed imminent dangers and infringement to the rights of nursing professionals in the country.
He told journalists at the entrance of the Nurses House in Ibadan, that nurses in the state have rejected the recent additions to the verification guideline.
Fawole added that the new guidelines not only demeans the profession, but is also absolutely unacceptable.
According to him, the new policy undermines the aspirations of new graduate nurses for professional development and opportunities.
“We have studied the circular carefully and observed imminent dangers and infringement to the rights of nursing professionals within Nigeria as well as the members rights of NANNM.
“Thus, we vehemently reject the recent additions to the verification guideline as it not only demeans the profession but it is absolutely unacceptable, undermining the aspirations of new graduate nurses for professional development and opportunities.
“We suggest however, the Council makes the verification process much affordable and seamless without the need of a good standing letter nor two years post-qualification experience as stated, approved within 48 hours from application.
“Our attention was also drawn to the recent circular issued by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) with ref No: NANNM/FED/22/VOL.VI/12 and dated 13th February, 2024, where in the National leadership of NANNM wrote it had engaged the Registrar/CEO of the NMCN on series of meetings on 12th February, 2024 and is in consultation with relevant Government agencies on the subject matter, assuring its members nationwide and indeed the entire Nigeria Nurses and Midwives that the Association (NANNM) will stop at nothing in ensuring that their concerns raised are properly and promptly addressed, which we commend.
“However, this action group is of the believe that the National and state leadership of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) should rather push for industrial action (nationwide strike) should its discussions with NMCN and other relevant Government agencies fall out, unfavorable to we, its members.”