Posted on: Mon 28-10-2013

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (N ANNM) , at her National Executive Council (NEC), meeting held  on the 23rd and 24th September, 2013; deliberated on a number of issues affecting the welfare, progress of her members, the  nursing profession and the health sector in general, after exhaustive discussions, members resolved as follows:

1. The National Executive Council (NEC) noted with great concern the delay in the implementation of the National industrial Court (NIC) judgment of 17th February 2012, and urged the various government agencies saddled with the responsibility of implementation to expedite action in order to avoid industrial unrest; as the Association (NANNM) can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector as a result of further delay.

2. The Association acknowledged the efforts of the Federal Government so far in the provision of facilities for maternal and child health care centers in the country. However, the NEC - in-session called on the Federal Ministry of Health to restore harmony among health professionals through equality to provide the much needed support to close the gap in the areas of Midwifery practice in the country.

3. The need to restore harmony to the nursing profession in Nigeria was reiterated; consequently, the refusal by government to approve a unified scheme of service for Nurses and Midwives in Nigeria is not in the best interest of the profession, patient; and our health care system. The diversionary tactics and approach by government on this matter, is a demotivating factor to nurses and midwives, Therefore, NEC-in-session called on all authorities concern to urgently address this all important issue.

4. It was also observed that irrespective of the fact that schools of Nursing across the country and numerous universities offering nursing programmers' are graduating students each year, NEC-in-session was not only surprised but shocked based on statistics available, that the issue of acute shortage of nurses and midwives still persist in the three tiers of government health institutions, therefore, encouraging quackery. This development must be addressed; registered nurses and qualified midwives must be recruited to fill the yawning gap. So as to bring to the barest minimum maternal and infant mortality rate, and (t150 achieve the much desired millennium development goals.

5. The Association noted with great concern that health care delivery system in Nigeria is failing; arising from non appointment of professional health administrators to head the health sector} in the three tiers of our health system. NEC-in-session recommended to the Federal Government the need to put square pegs in square holes, if health professionals including medical doctors should desire to hold any administrative position in the health sector, such an individual must have the requisite administrative, academic, qualifications and experience. We must learn from Kenya, UK and USA where professional health administrators are running the health care system in these countries.

6. The issue of insecurity was a major concern to the Association. a situation where innocent Nigerians are either killed, maimed, or kidnapped on a daily basis docs not only call for concern but is also unacceptable. with particular reference to the cases in Port Harcourt ) Keno and Homo etc. where nurses were either kidnapped or killed while performing their official duties, NEC-in-session urged the Federal, States, and Local Governments to do more to arrest the ugly trend in order to avert system collapse. Finally, NEC, urge religious, traditional and community leaders to assist government fight crimes in society; as this effort must be a collective responsibility,

7. NEC-in-sessions was disturbed by the on going ASUU strike in the country, it described it as "an ill wind that blows no one any good" The continuous closure' of our universities has not only debased the standard of education in Nigeria, but has also caused the country "academic embarrassment" internationally. However, NEC-in-session called on the Federal Government to urgently find a lasting solution to problems affecting our universities, by also addressing the demands of ASUU.

8. The Association frowned at reports that nurses and midwives were denied their responsibility to perform their official duties of examining pregnant mothers in the antenatal clinics by medical doctors in some tertiary hospitals in the country, NEC· in- season called on all those involved in such unprofessional behavioral attitude to desist from it as this will certainly truncate the realization of the millennium development goals of the 'Federal Government.

9. The absence of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (M&MCN) BOARD Portents great danger to the nursing profession, having in 1n10d the huge responsibilities of the Council and the Board in policy formulation, administration; and decision making for the for the betterment of profession and the society. NEC -in- session therefore, requested the Federal Government to urgently constitute the board of the nursing and midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN) the Association stands with Nigeria Nurses and Midwives in the rejection of a non- nursing professional as the Chairmen of the Board of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

10. Finally, the NEC-in-session thanked the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the wonderful hospitality accorded them, throughout the period of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of (NANNM) in Abuja.

Signed: Nurse Abdrafru Alani Afenji (National President)

---

---