Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party has appealed to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, to reconsider its stringent measures hindering nurses’ verifications for migration.
The Labour Party presidential candidate suggested that investing in more training institutions for healthcare professionals and supporting nurses’ global opportunities is essential for the nation’s benefit.
Obi’s appeal followed the recent revision of the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives to foreign nursing boards or councils by the NMCN.
The revised guidelines mandate applicants seeking verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualification experience and pay a non-refundable application fee, among other requirements.
OsunDailyNG reports that the development comes amid the mass exodus of healthcare professionals, especially doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, to foreign countries.
This is even as the NMCN, on Tuesday, said that over 42,000 nurses have left the country in the last three years to seek greener pastures abroad.
However, nurses and other health workers have kicked against the new policy, insisting the guidelines and requirements are typical of a denial of human rights.
The nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, protested against the policy on Monday in Abuja.
However, Obi, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, is now calling on the NMCN to reverse those measures for the benefit of Nigerian nurses and the nation.
According to him, facilitating nurses’ access to global opportunities not only provides international exposure but also generates substantial 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.
