Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party, has appealed to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to reconsider their strict measures that are making it difficult for nurses to verify their credentials for migration purposes.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party believes that it is important for the country to invest in more training institutions for healthcare professionals and to support nurses in their pursuit of global opportunities.
This appeal from Mr. Obi comes after the NMCN recently revised their guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives who wish to work in foreign nursing boards or councils.
The updated guidelines now state that individuals who wish to have their certificates verified by foreign nursing boards and councils must have at least two years of experience and pay a non-refundable application fee, among other criteria.
This change comes at a time when a significant number of healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, are leaving the country to work abroad.
In fact, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) recently reported that over 42,000 nurses have left the country in the past three years in search of better opportunities overseas.
However, many nurses and other healthcare workers are opposing this new policy, arguing that the guidelines and requirements infringe upon their human rights.
The nurses, who are part of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), held a protest in Abuja on Monday to express their disagreement with the policy.
However, Obi, in a post on his social media account on Wednesday, is now urging the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to reconsider these measures for the betterment of Nigerian nurses and the country as a whole.
He believes that making it easier for nurses to access global opportunities not only gives them international exposure but also brings in significant foreign remittances.
“I took the opportunity to appeal to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) to reconsider their stringent measures hindering nurses’ verifications for migration. Investing in more training institutions for healthcare professionals and supporting their global opportunities is essential for our nation’s benefit. Facilitating our nurses’ access to global opportunities not only provides international exposure but also generates substantial foreign remittances, surpassing our oil revenue.
“I call on the NMCN to reverse these measures promptly for the benefit of Nigerian nurses and our nation as a whole,” Obi posted.
