By ADEROGBA GEORGE

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has appealed to the Federal Government to reopen the portal for verification of credentials of its members.

Michael Nnachi, the National President of NANNM, made the appeal during the opening session of a two-day National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NANNM in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the portal was closed by the Federal Government since December 2023 in an attempt to regulate the standard of nursing and midwifery, as well as raise the standard.

Nnachi also demanded for the creation of a department of nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health, and other related matters, to further brighten the future of the profession.

He said that Nigerian nurses and midwives had never been recognised for a pride of place in policy making matters, hospital board membership or political appointment.

He called for a change In this narrative.

“Let us not pretend, the country is getting increasingly difficult for human survival in terms of socio-economic conditions.

“We are the backbone of the healthcare system, patient’s advocates, and champions for change in the field that touches every aspect of human life from birth to death.

“We are more in number and represent the total image of the healthcare system.

“Despite the strategic position we occupy in the health sector, we have refused to apply the force of power of our strength during political activities in the country.

“Let me remind you that all is not well for Nigerian nurses and midwives, from all aspect of human assessment and evaluation,” he said.

According to him, we must rise up as leaders to challenge unfavorable policies by government, protect the rights of Nigerian nurses and midwives

“We must promote the well-being of members of the association, and uphold ethics of the profession.

“We must guide our profession jealously and fight against all odds that will weaken our strength or keep us divided.

“Say no to division, say no to disunity and embrace team work for progressive achievements and sustainability,” Nnachi said.

He called for a safe and favourable working environment for the nurses, adequate compensation for work done, desirable tools to work with, protection against outbreaks of diseases, and insurance for members.

He also called for employment of the teaming population of the unemployed nurses, whose well-being are integral to the healthcare needs of the nation.

He said that the nurses must improve in their education, research, social advocacy, media visibility, as well as push hard for changes in the health sector and involvement in policy matters.

Nnachi called on the nurses and midwives to participate in politics and embrace innovation and collaboration, as well as keep themselves abreast of changes in the country.

Alhaji Faruk Abubakar, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) said that the whole misunderstanding within the nurses and midwives circle would soon be resolved.

According to him, the council’s relationship with NANNM is cordial.

He commended the National President of NANNM for handling all the misunderstanding with maturity.

“Some of the agitation or perceived misunderstanding are coming from people practicing outside the country.

“These people are collecting or participating in the verification of nurses and midwives without due process. All these tend to destroy the image of the association, these people are using our association to make money.

“The council is not against any member of NANNM moving to anywhere in the world, but all what we are interested is that Nigeria as a country must work with dignity.

“Reopening of the verification portal requires due process.

“I have received a lot of letters on the, even both from the National Assembly. We are working towards resolving all the issue and the portal will be reopened,” Abubakar said. (NAN)

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