Charging N68,875 for verification excessively exploitative, nurses react Mixed reactions have trailed the reopening of the verification portal by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The NMCN reopened the portal after almost nine months of its closure.
Nurses and midwives have lauded the efforts of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives in ensuring that the portal is reopened.
They, however, said the portal is not accessible to new nurses, and the two-year post-qualification is still in effect.
The NMCN had on February 7, 2024, issued a circular revising the guidelines for requesting verification of certificates for nurses and midwives.
The council’s circular was released after The PUNCH reported the deactivation of the verification portal on NMCN’s website in December 2023.
The circular signed by the Registrar of the council, Dr Faruk Abubakar, partly read that eligible applicants must have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience from the date of issuance of the permanent practising licence, and any application with a provisional licence shall be rejected.
It also stated that the council shall request a letter of good standing from the chief executive officer of the applicant’s place(s) of work and the last nursing training institution attended and responses on these shall be addressed directly to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN.
The council also stated that applicants must have active practising licences with a minimum of six months to the expiration date, and processing of verification applications would take a minimum of six months, among others.
A Nurse and Fellow of the West African College of Nursing, Jude Chiedu, called for a reduction in the verification fee.
Chiedu said, “The NMCN fees for verification to Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools remain exorbitant, even after CGFNS launched the online Credential Transfer Portal which allows licensing authorities to submit information electronically, streamlining the process for regulatory bodies to provide licensure or registration verifications on behalf of their registrants. The CTP eliminates the need for organizations to send paper verifications.
“Given this digital advancement, the fees should be reduced accordingly. Charging nurses ₦68,875 for verification alone is excessively high and exploitative. The NMCN must adapt to the new digital system and adjust the fee structure to reflect the efficiency and cost savings brought by the CTP. The council must support its registrants by making the verification process more affordable and accessible.”
Another Nurse at Nursingworld Nigeria, Anthony Ijeoma who was excited that the portal has been reopened, however noted that the requirement for letter of good from the Head of Nursing at one’s current place of employment raises concerns.
Ijeoma said, “Firstly, obtaining a letter of good standing from the Head of Nursing at one’s current place of employment introduces a significant administrative and financial burden on nurses. Many nurses work in environments where such letters are difficult to obtain, either due to bureaucratic delays or the lack of willingness from the employer. This dependency on employers adds unnecessary stress and can create opportunities for exploitation.
“Additionally, the cost implications associated with acquiring this letter cannot be ignored. Many organisations may charge administrative fees, and in some cases, employees are forced to pay for the processing of such documents. This not only imposes a financial burden on the nurses but also introduces the risk of exploitation, where nurses might feel coerced into making unofficial payments or face delays in obtaining the necessary documentation.
“The verification process should be streamlined in a way that empowers nurses rather than making them dependent on employers for documentation. The focus should be on transparent and efficient procedures that avoid unnecessary complications and costs for healthcare professionals.”
He urged the council to reconsider the requirement for the letter of good standing and explore alternatives that would facilitate a smoother, less exploitative process for nurses seeking verification.
Another Nurse who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed gratitude to the NMCN for reopening the portal.
She, however, emphasised that “The clauses attached are still a cause for concern and I strongly believe that it may create unnecessary barriers for nurses. I request that it be expunged to ensure access to all persons.”
Category: World-News
Tag: Charging N68875 for verification excessively exploitative nurses react
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Published 9/14/2024