The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has reopened its verification portal for nurses and midwives, bringing relief to professionals who faced difficulties due to the previous closure.
The portal’s reopening is a result of efforts by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and other stakeholders.
The NMCN verification portal was reopened on Friday, allowing nurses and midwives to submit verification requests. The council had previously introduced new guidelines for certificate verification, which included requirements such as a minimum of two years post-qualification experience and a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place of work.
Anthony Ijeoma, a nurse at Nursingworld Nigeria, commended the NANNM for bringing about the change. “I also commend NMCN for listening to reason and reopening its verification portal for nurses within and outside the country,” he stated.
The reopening of the portal is a significant development for nurses and midwives who faced legal consequences due to the previous closure.
Many professionals were forced to return to the country, and some dragged the NMCN to court over the issue.
The NANNM has appealed to the Federal Government to address the association’s demands, including payment of salaries, constitution of the board, and creation of a special nurses’ salary structure or immediate review of nurses’ peculiar professional allowances.
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Michael Nnachi, National President of NANNM, listed the pressing needs of the association. “We demand the re-opening of the nurses and midwives certificate verification portal, payment of salaries of all staff of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, constitution of the board, creation of special nurses salary structure or immediate review of nurses peculiar professional allowances,” he said.
The reopening of the verification portal is a significant step forward for nurses and midwives in Nigeria, and the NANNM’s demands highlight the need for improved working conditions and benefits for healthcare professionals.