14th February, 2024
By Abujah Racheal
The Federal Government has promised to address issues raised by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the recent protests in Lagos and Abuja to encourage the medical personnel to continue to put in their best for the service of the nation.
Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, Presidential adviser on health made the promise while reacting to protests by members of NANNM against recent directives by the Nursing Council
The nursing council, in its revised guidelines, stated that applicants seeking verification of certificates from foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practicing license.
However, NANNM members had staged protests in Abuja and Lagos to express their displeasure over what they described as an attempt to hinder their freedom to pursue career opportunities by Nursing Council.
They specifically urged the nursing regulatory council to address concerns bordering on welfare, salary scale, staff shortages and other rights.
Reacting to the protests, Sam -Kolo said the Federal Government is committed to addressing the concerns of Nurses and Midwives to keep them happy and boost service delivery,
Salma-Kolo, who was speaking on efforts to improve healthcare, maternal and child health, in the country that government would strive to improve the working environment and welfare of healthcare workers in the country.
The adviser said that Nurses and Midwives were the faces of healthcare delivery as they usually spend more time with patients than any other medic.
“So, they are very important to us and very critical in terms of nursing care and the delivery of health care, even when there are no doctors,” she said.
“We are committed to improving on issues raised by human resources. One area we want to address in creating an enabling environment is to also address the issue of rivalry.
“We are working to address the conflict areas and all the areas that will motivate our nurses and midwives. We want all health workers to be happy,” she said. (NAN)