Worried by allegations of delay by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, in the renewal process of licenses of nurses some of which last for over a year, a federal lawmaker, Barr. Oladele Olatunbosun, has said that the agency must be investigated.
According to Oladele, represents Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, “it is known that it is illegal for an unlicensed nurse to treat or offer services to a patient in any health care facility under any guise;
Notes the vital roles of nurses in the health care delivery process and for any Nurse to practice, he or she must be licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria which is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health saddled with such responsibility under the Nursing and Midwifery (Registration, etc.) Act, Cap. N143, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
While moving the motion, Oladele, who is a former commissioner in Oyo State, disclosed that “there are many nurses practicing in both private and public health institutions whose licenses have expired and have not been removed or who have never been licensed to practice at all.”
He added that ”patients are at risk of being treated by uncertified nursing practitioners, leading to unpleasant health consequences, complications and even death in some instances.
“Cognizant of the urgent need to take a critical look at the process of renewal of licenses and evaluation of the practice of nursing in Nigeria with a view to restoring the globally acceptable standard while ensuring quality delivery in our health institutions.”
The House has, however, directed its committee on healthcare services to investigate the activities of the NMC in the area of issuance and renewal of nursing licenses “with a view to ensuring due and speedy process and report back within eight (8) weeks for further legislative action.”
