The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has expressed concern over the alarming rise in nursing quackery in Lagos State, reaffirming its commitment to clamp down on illegal training and unauthorized practice.
The Lagos State Chairperson of the association, Christianah Adeboboye, made this known on Tuesday during the Nurses Summit, held to commemorate International Midwives Day and International Nurses Week.
This year’s themes, “Midwives: Critical in All Crises” and “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,” highlight the indispensable role played by nurses on the frontlines of healthcare delivery.
Danger of nurse impersonation and quackery
Adeboboye regretted that, in spite of the nobility of the calling, widespread impersonation of nurses by unqualified individuals poses a danger to public health and damages the image of the profession.
“In Lagos, we have observed some of these impostors being enabled by certain health facilities and professionals.
“Let me reiterate, NANNM Lagos has a zero-tolerance policy on quackery.
“We are working closely with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to clamp down on illegal training and unauthorized practice,” Adeboboye said.
She called on the government and all stakeholders to support the association in upholding professional standards and safeguarding the integrity of the profession.
High attrition and nurse migration concerns
Adeboboye also highlighted the pressing challenge of high attrition rate, noting that no fewer than 15,000 nurses migrated abroad in the past two years.
According to her, Lagos contributes a significant portion to the number of nurses who emigrate abroad.
“While we are grateful for the retention allowance, its value has been significantly eroded by inflation.
“We urgently need sustained and comprehensive interventions to ensure economic stability, job satisfaction, and a reduction in both internal and external brain drain,” she said.
The chairperson appealed to the state government to approve the regularisation of graduate nurses who joined the service earlier but are currently junior to recently employed colleagues with the same Bachelor of Nursing Science qualification.
She warned that this disparity has led to frustration, false attrition, and avoidable resignations.
Advocacy for welfare and policy inclusion
Adeboboye also called for sustainable welfare packages for nurses and midwives to promote job satisfaction, commitment, and retention within the state health system.
- She advocated for full consolidation of nurses’ and other health workers’ salaries to ensure improved pension benefits upon retirement.
- Additionally, she urged the inclusion of nurses and midwives in policymaking at all levels to ensure their professional insights inform health policies.
- Adeboboye proposed the appointment of nurses on Grade Level 17 as Permanent Secretaries to reflect their leadership potential and contributions to public service.
She also called for special housing schemes and the provision of official vehicles for Directors of Nursing and Apex Nurses to enhance operational efficiency.
“These demands are not mere requests; they are strategic investments in the future of healthcare delivery in Lagos State,” she said.
Supporting nurses and midwives, she explained, means strengthening the economy, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and significantly improving overall health outcomes.