The Nigeria and Midwifery Council (NMCN) has defended its new certificate verification guidelines for nurses, asserting that it is in the best interest of the country.
The clarification follows protests by nurses, under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Abuja chapter, against the new guidelines released by the NMCN.
The NMCN, as the sole regulatory body mandated by law to oversee the standards of Nursing and Midwifery education and practice in Nigeria, emphasized that it periodically reviews these standards to adapt to evolving health needs.
Expressing dissatisfaction, nurses raised concerns that the new guidelines could impede their freedom to pursue career opportunities, highlighting ongoing issues such as welfare, salary scale, and staff shortages that remain unaddressed.
The council issued the revised guidelines on February 7, 2024, following the deactivation of the verification portal on its website in December 2023.
According to the circular signed by the Registrar, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable fee for verification to foreign nursing boards, covering courier services to relevant institutions and boards.
Eligible applicants must possess a minimum of two years' post-qualification experience, hold permanent practicing licenses, and provide letters of good standing from their current workplace and last nursing training institution.
The NMCN further stipulated that applicants must have active practicing licenses with at least six months remaining before expiration, and the processing of verification applications will take a minimum of six months.
These guidelines, effective from March 1, 2024, are aimed at enhancing the verification process and maintaining the integrity of nursing and midwifery practice in Nigeria, the council reiterated.
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