.By Ada Williams
Dozens of nurse had in the early hours of Monday, 12th February, 2024, occupied the entrance of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) Head office in Abuja, demanding a total reform in the health sector most especially things concerning nurses, also demanded for a reversal of the new verification policy for nurses which is set to be implemented from March 2024.
Stating further that initial verification process takes a maximum of 2weeks, but the new policy that is about to be implemented will take minimum of six month, also noted that alleged verification fee of #300,000 is expected to be paid. It is also noted that, a letter of good conduct from the CEO of the hospital where a nurse is practicing is demanded, as new nursing graduates, cannot be verified or licensed until after two years of working. The above led to protest by the nurses in Abuja.
As the protest continues, the DPO of Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Police Station, DSP, Wummi Yusuf storms the venue asked protesters to disperse and go home. She described the protest as illegal, due to the fact that she was no informed. However, the protester refused to leave, stating categorically that they must exercise their fundamental rights and they also promised that it will be a peaceful protest.
However, the registrar NMCN, Dr. Farouq Umar Abubakar, who was on hand to hear the protesters promised Nurses that the Council will look into their complaint and get back to them in few days as he appealed to them to disperse and return to their various places of work.
