The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has urged its aggrieved members to withdraw the lawsuit instituted against the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria over the new verification guidelines. The association said this would be necessary to give room for the leadership of NANNM to completely address any lingering challenges. NMCN had announced that applicants seeking the verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must possess two years of post-qualification experience. The council also said applicants are required to pay a non-refundable fee per application for verification to foreign boards of nursing as specified on its portal.
However, some dissatisfied nurses dragged the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar; the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare; the Federal Ministry of Health; and the Attorney General of the Federation before the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja. The complainants in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/ 76/2024, are Desmond Aigbe; Kelvin Ossai; Catherine Olatunji-Kuyoro; Tamunoibi Berry; Osemwengie Osagie; Abiola Olaniyan; Idowu Olabode, and Olumide Olurankinse.
In the suit, they prayed the court to restrain the defendants or their agents from implementing the NMCN circular pending the determination of the suit.
The nurses also urged the court to suspend the commencement of the new guidelines. Speaking at an event to mark the 2024 International Day of the Midwives and Nurses Week, the NANNM President, Michael Nnachi stated that the conference will discuss critical matters affecting members, and the NMCN.
Nnachi said, “We will collectively use this opportunity to discuss critical matters that affect NANNM members, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, our association, and other inherent challenges (Verification exercise, NANNM membership management system, strategic plan, etc.) to come up with lasting solutions. “I call on members of NANNM or any group of Nurses and Midwives whatever name it seeks to be addressed, who have taken the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria or National Association of Nigeria of Nurses and Midwives to court for any reason(s) to promptly withdraw the matter to give room for the leadership of NANNM to completely address any lingering challenges affecting Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, to allow unity and progress in our valued profession. When two elephants fight, the grass suffers.”
The association also urged the Federal government to implement a special salary regime through the Enhanced Nurses Salary Structure, which would provide a much-needed increment. “The leadership of NANNM is aware of the stressful conditions the nurses and midwives are passing through in their various areas of practice characterized by increased workload, indecent work environment, poor compensation, and consequently brain drain. “To address the gap, Nigeria Nurses and Midwives passionately demand an ENSS to address the issue of migration. This situation has created more crisis and division among nurses and midwives in the country. This situation should not be allowed to degenerate into avoidable industry action. “While we await the government’s positive action on our demands as already submitted to the government, I urge Nigeria Nurses and Midwives to continue to demonstrate commitment, integrity, and productivity through hard work, perseverance, and devotion in service delivery,” Nnachi added.
