- The protesters, carrying placards, demanded the reopening of the verification portal, which they said had been closed by the council
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) is urging the National Assembly to intervene and stop the Nigeria and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) from continuing its new verification exercise, which they claim violates their fundamental rights.
The council recently revised its guidelines for certificate verification, prompting a protest by nurses and midwives at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The protesters, carrying placards, demanded the reopening of the verification portal, which they said had been closed by the council.
They insisted that verification should take no more than 48 hours and be free of charge.
According to Alexis Isioma, a representative of the protesters, the new guidelines are unnecessary, harsh, and time-consuming, and require unnecessary authorization letters from superior colleagues or Chief Medical Directors. She lamented that the new rules have caused her members to miss opportunities.
She said, “In November a circular was sent out that they have revised the verification rules. They brought new rules stating that a nurse must work for two years before you get verified or further your study especially for those that have scholarships abroad.
“Also, the said verification may take six months and must get a letter of recommendation from our head of department we are working with. Since November till now nobody has been verified because they close down the portal.”
Meanwhile the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on health institutions, Amos Magaji, while appealing to the protesters said the National Assembly would wade into the matter and reach out to the appropriate authorities and ensure that their grievances were addressed.
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