The Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Faruk Abubakar has disclosed that more than 42,000 nurses left the country in search of greener pastures in the last three years.
He also mentioned that an average nurse in the country earns not less than N135,000 monthly.
Faruk made these disclosures while speaking on a live television programme on Tuesday, following the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives protest against the new certification verification guidelines issued by the Council.
NMCN had issued a circular saying applicants seeking verification of certificates to foreign nursing boards and councils must have two years of qualification experience and also pay a non-refundable application fee.
But speaking about why the Council issued the guidelines, he said the development was in line with international best practices, adding that so many nurses in the country have left in the past few years.
“Let me make it clear today, in the last three years over 42,000 nurses left this country and the country needs them.
“Government policies especially the present Renewed Hope Agenda, a lot of policies are coming onboard, the Federal Ministry of Health came up with so many policies where Nigerian healthcare system will be improved,” he said.
Elaborating, he said, “Now if we allow every Nigerian to leave as they graduate, who is going to handle our healthcare services? Who is going to provide these services? We are Nigerians and it is our responsibility to provide these services.
“So, we are not against anybody travelling but Nigerians must be served and must be provided with this quality healthcare since we are producing the quality and best nurses that are working anywhere in the world.”
According to him, the Council has gotten several complaints about the relocation of nurses from the country.
But he said such relocations should be done rightly.
On remuneration of the healthcare practitioners, he agreed that Nurses and Midwives were poorly paid but emphasized that the issue goes beyond the control of his Council.
“The issue of remuneration is not within the NMCN, it is the responsibility of the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Health, and I want to make this clear to you, a few weeks ago, NANNM paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister, and he has constituted a committee where all issues raised by the national association will be addressed, including the welfare that you are talking about.
“An average nurse that is engaged receives not less than N135,000, it depends on where they are working. Some of them receive up to N200,000. It depends on where they are working, whether at the national, state, or local governments. I think this is the brief I can tell you.
“I have to say that the FMoH is doing a lot and a committee is now being put by the FMoH to look at all the cases raised by the association on behalf of the nurses all over the country. I believe that will address the issue of welfare and the issue of remuneration they are talking about.
“It is not the Council’s responsibility to determine the remuneration of any nurse, the remuneration is also determined by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which is the body responsible for determining that nationwide and nurses inclusive,” he stated.
