Revised Guidelines Face Scrutiny Following Urgent Motion
The House of Representatives has taken decisive action to suspend the implementation of the revised guidelines for verifying certificates of nurses and midwives, issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). The move comes after an urgent motion was presented by Rep. Patrick Umoh (APC-Akwa-Ibom) during Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja.
In his motion, Umoh highlighted that the revised guidelines, set to take effect on March 1, 2024, posed significant concerns. The guidelines stipulate that applicants for verification must possess a minimum of two years of post-qualification experience from the date of obtaining a permanent practice license. Additionally, applicants are required to secure a letter of good standing from the Chief Executive Officer of their place of work and the last training institution attended, with the processing period expected to span at least six months.
Umoh argued that the insistence on two years of post-qualification experience before certificate verification was unreasonable, arbitrary, and unfair. He expressed apprehensions that such a requirement could impede the educational pursuits of nurses seeking further training or skills in foreign universities.
The House unanimously adopted the motion, urging the NMCN to refrain from implementing the Revised Guidelines for Verification dated February 7, pending an investigation by the House. The responsibility of ensuring compliance with this resolution was placed on the House Committees on Health Institutions and Legislative Compliance.
Furthermore, the House mandated these committees to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the controversy surrounding the revised guidelines and report their findings to the House within a six-week timeframe. This decision reflects the legislative body’s commitment to safeguarding the interests and rights of nurses and ensuring fair and reasonable verification procedures.