Posted on: Thu 30-05-2024

The Nursing Group Administrators (NGA) have called for the repeal of the nursing audit policy by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), insisting that the new rules demonstrate blatant disregard for the well-being of be nursing professionals.

The group said the regulation, published by the NMCN Registrar in February 2024, had raised concerns among practicing nurses in the country as the policy does not improve standards of nursing practice or protect the interests of patients , but instead creates unjustified obstacles that hinder the dedication and effectiveness of nursing care. nurses in the delivery of essential health services.

NGA called on the government and relevant stakeholders to intervene and come up with concrete policy recommendations, saying a thorough analysis of the policy revealed unrealistic nature and negative implications on healthcare standards in Nigeria.

The group’s representative, Edike Osemeke, who spoke at a press briefing in Lagos, pointed out that the verification requirements are excessively rigid with prolonged waiting times, placing an unreasonable burden on practicing nurses.

They also noted that the policy overlooks the real challenges facing nursing professionals in Nigeria, where many nurses operate in resource-constrained environments, struggling with red tape and financial constraints to obtain licenses and approvals. reference letters required.

Osemeke called for a revised policy that should prioritize practicality, accessibility and the advancement of healthcare standards in Nigeria, warning that failure to correct the policy’s flaws could put endangering the already declining health system. “Failure to address these grievances and rectify the flaws in the current policy will deepen the crisis facing the Nigerian health system and jeopardize the health and safety of millions of citizens. Urgent action is imperative to remedy this untenable situation and restore confidence in the regulatory framework governing nursing practice in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, we implore NMCN to engage in meaningful dialogue with the public, nursing associations, advocacy groups, and relevant stakeholders to develop a more equitable, inclusive, and effective vetting process that upholds the integrity of nursing practice while preserving well-being. nurses and the communities they serve,” he said.

She pointed out that the lack of transparency and consultation in the formulation of the rules highlights a deep disregard for the voices of the nursing community. “The NMCN has failed to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, ignoring the concerns and ideas of those directly affected by these draconian measures. We demand immediate action from the NMCN to repeal these unfair rules and engage in genuine consultation with nursing professionals and relevant stakeholders,” he said.

They further called for the implementation of competitive pay and compensation programs for nurses, including increased retention allowances, hazard allowances and hardship allowances to account for the increased workload. of work, working hours and cost of living in Nigeria.

“These adjustments should be fully incorporated into the new salary structure proposed by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, with rapid implementation at the federal, state and local levels.”

The group demanded an adjustment to the placement of graduate nurses at level 10 and intern nurses at level 09, ensuring appropriate recognition and remuneration and adopting policies that enable nurses to practice to the fullest extent of their skills, of their expertise, skills, education and training. a supportive and safe service delivery environment, promoting, among other things, job satisfaction.

“It is essential to address concerns raised by young nurses regarding workload distribution, hospital management’s reluctance to hire additional staff and toxic work culture. Policy decisions should be adopted to prevent mistreatment, ensure equitable workload distribution, and foster a supportive work environment to retain young nurses and mitigate migration to other work settings.

Tobi Omolere, an occupational health nurse in the United Kingdom, said the current brain drain in Nigeria could turn into a brain gain if proactive measures were taken.

He also highlighted his journey from nurse in Nigeria to specialist occupational health nurse in the UK as the transformative impact of investments in professional development.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

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