Heads of Nursing Schools, Departments Urge FG to Tackle Insecurity, Shortage of Nurses

The Body of Heads of Nursing Services Department and Principals of Schools of Nursing in Federal Health Institutions (BOHNAPFHI) has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in tackling insecurity nationwide.
BOHNAPFHI made the call in a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of its Scientific Conference/Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja.
The document was signed by Dr Aderonke Awoseemo, the National Chairman of the body, and Hajia Salamatu Hassan Idris, its National Secretary.
The scientific conference/AGM marked the group’s Silver Jubilee.
It was attended by many dignitaries including the Registrar /CEO, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Alhaji Ndagi Alhassan.
The theme of the conference was: “Putting in Motion Intergenerational Leadership Towards Sustainable Quality Nursing Education”.
The body appreciated effort of President Bola Tinubu in addressing insecurity in the country, but urged him to intensify efforts in that regard.
The body also observed a gross shortage of manpower in nursing profession, both in practice and education.
It said that the shortage had subjected the few nurses on ground to increased work load and burnout without commensurate compensation leading to migration of labour.
The body called on the government to immediately employ and increase the remuneration of nurses and midwives in to retain them.
The body also alleged that some Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors (MDs/CMDs) denied nursing officers their pre-retirement leave while appreciating Chief Executive Officers and CMDs that are complying with rule.
The body called on the management of all federal health institutions in Nigeria to establish College of Nursing Sciences in accordance with NMCN laid down rules.
It called on Federal Ministry of Health and NMCN to curtail the proliferation of College of Nursing Sciences with poor human and materials resources to avoid producing poor quality nursing personnel.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Minister of Health, should expedite actions on centralisation of nurses interns.
“We commend the Minister of health for his effort to avert industrial actions by various institutions in health sector by engaging them in negotiations,” the body said.