The Federal Government has pledged to gazette the long-awaited Nurses’ Scheme of Service within four weeks. The Federal Government also pledged to direct the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to put in place modalities for the central placement of Nurses for internship.
These measures are aimed at addressing key demands of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, particularly those related to career progression, welfare, and internship placements. This resolution formed part of a Memorandum of Understanding reached at the end of a conciliation meeting held on Friday, convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment and attended by the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and the leadership of NANNM.
Nurses and midwives embarked on a seven-day warning strike on Wednesday to push for demands such as the gazetting of the Nurses’ Scheme of Service and an upward review of shift allowances. However, the strike was suspended on Saturday following an agreement reached between the Association and the Federal Government.
The MoU obtained by our correspondent on Sunday was signed by the President of NANNM, Haruna Mamman, the General Secretary of NANNM, T. A. Shettima, the Director of Human Resources at the FMoH, Dafeta T. Tetshoma, and the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Falonipe Amos.
The gazetting of the Nurses’ Scheme of Service, initially approved by the National Council on Establishments in 2016, in Minna, Niger state, is a document that outlines the career structure, qualifications, job descriptions, and progression pathways for public servants in Nigeria, including Nurses and other professionals.
According to the MoU, “The Association was assured that the Scheme of Service shall be gazetted. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has already written to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the need to get the Scheme of Service gazetted. The Director of Nursing of the FMOH&SW and the office of the Secretary General NANNM are to follow up with the Head of Service and the Federal Government Printer and ensure that the gazetting is done within four weeks.”
In addition to the gazetting process, the MoU also highlighted other resolutions, including the implementation of the National Industrial Court judgment on creating a Department of Nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health. It was resolved that the matter be referred to the Ministry of Justice for interpretation and compliance with the NICN Judgement.
Leave feedback about this