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Workers Day: NANNM offers free medical services to Bauchi civil servants

Workers Day: NANNM offers free medical services to Bauchi civil servants

By Amina Ahmed
Services
Bauchi, May, 1,2019 (NAN) The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) on Wednesday provided free medical services to civil servants in Bauchi state.

The state Chairman of the association, Mr Ibrahim Maikudi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the exercise was to provide outreach services to workers.

NAN reports that the free medical outreach was conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium, venue of this year’s Workers Day celebration.

Maikudi listed some of the services to includes vital signs, testes for Blood Pressure (BP)and Glucose, counselling and referral to facilities.

He disclosed that the association would introduce free testes on Hepatitis and Gynotype next year.

The Chairman said that the exercise would last till end of the ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar employed the workers to make contributions, observation and suggestion that would reposition the service.

Abubakar, who was represented by the state Head of Service, Alhaji Adamu Gokaru, assured that soon the state government would implement the new minimum wage.

He enjoyed the civil servants to remain dedicated and committed in discharging their various schedules.

Abubakar congratulated the newly elected state council executives of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and enjoinedthem to provide purposeful leadership. (NAN)
AE/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Don tasks nurses on professionalism, improving healthcare delivery

Don tasks nurses on professionalism, improving healthcare delivery

Nursing
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, March 29, 2019 (NAN) Prof. Prisca Adejumo, the Head of Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan, on Friday urged nurses to be problem solvers and contribute to knowledge to make health care delivery better in Nigeria.

Adejumo gave the advice in Ibadan on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 70th anniversary of the Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery.

Adejumo , who spoke on the “Quality of a Born Nurse’’ said that caring is at the heart of nursing profession, hence Nigeria needs nurses who are solution providers.

“A born nurse is someone who practises with standards and guidelines; one who reflects the values and priorities of nursing profession.

“The functions of a born nurse or a called nurse are divided into three: the first is practitioner role which deals with direct patients care.

“Leadership role is the second and it’s about making difference in the lives of people.

“While the third is research role, the ability to develop an inquisitive mind; solving problems and not just talking about problems.

“Anyone who is able to combine these and other attributes of nursing profession will surely make significant impact in the health care system,’’ Adejumo said.

She emphasised the need for nurses to adhere to international best practices and continue to get updated on latest development in nursing profession for maximum productivity.

Also, Mrs Gbonjubola Owolabi , the Provost of the college, acknowledged the immense contribution of the state government in repositioning the school as well as the role of the alumni.

She expressed her appreciation to the Oyo State government for the unflinching support given to the college thus far.

“Clearly, the strides that have been achieved in the years past would have been difficult without the support.

“The school became a college and the year of service was also extended among other landmarks such as having more campuses.

“We  will also be launching our first curriculum of nursing programme as well as the compendium of all our graduates since the very first set in 1953,” the provost said. (NAN)
IBK/VIV/AFA

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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Felix Ajide

 

Health

Include nurses in policy formulation, NANNM tells govt. 

Launch

By Yetunde Fatungase

Abeokuta, Dec. 18, 2018 (NAN) The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has called on government at all levels to include nurses in policy formulation and governance in the country.

The National President of the association,Alani Adeniji, made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta at the official launch of a book: “Unionism and Professionalism in Nursing’’ written by Isaiah Owoeye, a registered nurse.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book was written in honour of the heroic legacy of the pioneer General Secretary of NANNM, Oba Moses Olabode, the Omala of Imala land

Imala is located in  Oke Ogun Local Government Area of Ogun.

Adeniji said that nurses deserved good remuneration for their excellent services, just as they deserved good and safe working conditions.

He said:“Nurses deserve the respect and regard of all; we are at a time in history when some of the gains of unionism are under threat.

“We should all play our roles in the survival and support of the ideas and ideals of unionism for the dividends of economic growth and development.

“We must endeavour to imbibe these same values if we want to truly represent and honour the legacy of our icon,’’ Adeniji said.

According to him, the profession is one which should be celebrated with respect and regards.

While showering encomium on the monarch, he called on the nurses to imbibe his values and virtues of the traditional ruler to achieve their set goals.

Also speaking, the state Chairperson of the association, Roseline Solarin, appealed to the state government to pay all the deductions and contributory pension due to the nurses in its payroll.

She said that, “this is the proof of evaluatioN, hence the need for government to fulfill its promises.“

One of the highpoints at the occasion was the blessing of the Omala of Imala land who attained 80 years, by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Oba Adeyemi extolled the virtues of the nursing profession, saying that everyone in his or her lifetime would at one point need the services of a nurse.

He thanked the nurses as well as those who represented the six geopolitical zones at the event for celebrating one of their own.

The book, which was reviewed by Prof. Prisca Adejumo, has six chapters which talked about the life and times of the monarch as a nurse.

Adejumo, who is the Head of Nursing Department, University of Ibadan, disclosed that the book contained “explosive stories of the struggle of the Nigeria Nurses. “ (NAN)

YAF/VIV/DUA

Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Dada Ahmed

General news

NMA seeks greater cooperation with nurses

NMA seeks greater cooperation with nurses
By Ummul Idris
Cooperation
Abuja, Nov. 19, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for the reintroduction of the old good working relationship that existed between medical practitioners and nurses to promote better working relations in the healthcare sector.
The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, made the appeal on Monday when he visited the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in Abuja.
Faduyile said that the NMA was prepared for better relation with the nurses and always committed to the restoration of the lost glory between health workers, especially the doctors and nurses relationship.
He said that such collaboration would guarantee better working relationship, quality healthcare service for patients and better working environment.
“It is true that nurses have not had the best of times over the years in the health sector. And that has pushed them to distance themselves from the doctors.
“By this visit, NMA is calling on nurses to return to the lost relationship that has been progressive and beneficial to both of us.
“It is important we ensure harmony within the health sector and better working environment,” he said.
According to him, everybody in the medical profession must key into the new spirit of togetherness and Nigerians must know that health workers are united.
Responding, Mr Abdrafiu Adeniji, the President of NANNM, commended NMA for the visit, while also acknowledging that without harmonious and cordial relationship, the healthcare environment will not develop.
“We should be able to do it in a way that will not hamper the benefit of our patients.
“We are committed to team action and quality healthcare services to the healthcare consumers that we are employed to serve,” he said.
According to him, “we take sincere commitment of each and every one of us, we believe the health sector in Nigeria will be better’’.
Also speaking, Mr Thomas Shettima, the General Secretary of NANNM, said the objective of close collaboration would ensure that patients receive the best service since both nurses and doctors are patients centred.
“We have understood that conflict is not taking us anywhere, but if we work together the sky is our limit,” Shettima said. (NAN)
UMD/OIF/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Provost seeks automatic employment of graduates of Adamawa Nursing College

Provost seeks automatic employment of graduates of Adamawa Nursing College
By Martins Abochol
Funding
Yola, Sept. 21, 2018 (NAN) Mr Abubakar Salisu, the Provost, College of Nursing and Midwifery, Yola, has appealed to Adamawa Government to offer automatic employment of graduates of the institution in the state.
Salisu made the call on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola.
The provost who spoke through the Registrar, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, said that such absorption could improve the quality and manpower capacity of the health sector in the state.
He said that the college was producing quality manpower that could stand test of time due to the rich quality of academic manpower in the institution.
The provost, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, said that the institution required more provision of basic infrastructure like water, landscaping of the premises, modern library and laboratories.
Salisu also called for provision of more computers as the 20 available computers in the ICT facility was short minimum requirement for the 500 students.
He lamented that the institution survived on a meagre monthly running cost of N500,000 from the state government.
He solicited for the review of the running cost to not less than N3 million, saying such can enhance efficiency in service delivery in the institution.
The provost however commended Gov. Mohammed Bindow for completing the administrative block of the college that was abandoned 10 years ago.
Salisu also appreciated the governor for ensuring the accreditation of programmes run by the college.
He said that the priority accorded to the nursing profession by the governor was a clear demonstration of government commitment to build manpower capacity in the health sector.
He added that the governor’s commitment gave an impetus to the just concluded accreditation programme by the Nurses and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
According to him, the college received unprecedented accolades from the council due to the improvement recorded in both the academic and infrastructural development of the institution in the last three years.
The provost also called on the state government and other development partners to support the college in the area of funding,
Salisu acknowledged that UNICEF and United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) were the only partners giving some support to the institution. (NAN)
MK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Medical tourism: Association demands capacity building for nurses

Medical tourism: Association demands capacity building for nurses
By Mercy Osajiugo
Nurses
Minna, June 22, 2018 (NAN) The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has called for capacity building of nurses in the country through training and retraining to discourage medical tourism.
Mrs Ruth Adore, the branch Chairperson of NANNM, General Hospital Minna, Niger State, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Friday.
She said a lot of opportunities abound for nurses to go on local and foreign training but the chances slip off because employers do not sponsor them for such empowerment.
She noted that such opportunities would enhance their skills and update their knowledge on modern medical methodology.
“It is selfish on the part of Niger Government because they have made us miss so many opportunities locally and internationally.
“The only way medical tourism can be minimised is for government to give us training and retraining.
“When they avail us such opportunities, they will be achieving many things at a time; patients will not want to travel out of the state to assess medical care.
“It is unethical, it is crude and unprofessional for us to remain just with the knowledge we acquired while we were in school,” she said.
She added capacity building would help nurses tackle medical healthcare challenges.
Adore also decried the substandard medical apparatus at their disposal, saying it is a huge disregard to quality healthcare delivery.
“The most common apparatus we use like sphygmomanometer for measuring blood pressure most times fails us because what we have as tool is substandard and it slows our daily routine.
“It is our daily routine apparatus but it usually fails us because it is not original.
“We cannot continue like this, in human health you do not gamble or joggle with any tool that is fake because it is tantamount to quackery,” she said.
Adore however appealed to the state government to check for quality while placing order for medical equipment.
“There is need to carry us along while contracting for the purchase of medical equipment.
“We use them and our input will go a long way in achieving the very best for us and the state,” she said.
While appealing to Gov. Sani Bello to give the association the opportunity to see him on varied issues, Adore said that would help them and the state in addressing challenges of the sector.
“He needs to know the problem that is bedevilling us and the health system as whole.
“Managing medical resources or using substandard equipment will swindle us medically and economically, the consequence is grave because we will fail in rendering quality health services,” she said. (NAN)
MNO/COA/MST
By Constance Imasuen/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Nigerian nurses launch Africa’s 1st TV project

Nigerian nurses launch Africa’s 1st TV project
Project
By Olanrewaju Akojede and Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, May 13, 2018 (NAN) Good times are here for the nursing profession in Nigeria as it launches a TV project with an aim to rebrand the profession and interact with the general public.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the official launch of the TV project took place during the 2018 Nightingale Merit Award on Saturday night at the Great Hall, Sholuyi, Gbagada, Lagos.

The TV project tagged” Nurses on Air” according to the Team Lead, Josiah Jackson-Okesola said that the platform would be an avenue to inform the general public about the activities in the nursing profession.

”Today, we are unveiling the first of its kind in Africa, a comprehensive TV project, a platform where nurses can connect with the public.

“This Africa’s No 1 Nurses-Media platform is focused on developing power of media to achieving extraordinary transformation for African’s nursing service delivery systems.

”It will be an all encompassing media interactive platform to educate the general public on the paradigm shift in the nursing profession.

”We are trying to lift the nursing profession from where it has been relegated; we want to improve the standard of our profession and want to correct the negative impressions of the public.

”Through this medium, we will be able to reach out to millions on activities in nursing and synergies the activities of our profession with the public, ” he said.

Also, the special guest of the day, His Royal Majesty Moses Olasode , who is a retired nurse, lauded the nurses for the innovation and pledged his support to the project.

”This is a project I am happy about; nursing is a noble profession and plays important part in the health of the people.

”I am always happy to be associated with nursing profession, it is my passion and I will always support whenever I am called upon, ” he said.

The Commissioner, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs Kemi Ogunyemi also commended the initiative and called for improved research inputs into the nursing profession.

”The nursing profession is about passion and I am passionate about it; initiative like this is quite commendable and I will like to be part of it.

”The nursing profession abroad is not better than what we have in Nigeria, I am saying this because I have seen both ends.

”The edge those abroad have is that they have opportunities to go for regular trainings to update and develop themselve; this is so important, ” he said.

Mrs Stella Okpara, a nurse, told NAN that the main objective of the Nurses on Air rebranding project is to maximise the unity of the nursing profession, mobilise her numerical advantage to create change in the public perception of nurses.

“This will be through intellectual media strategy and unparalleled media innovations.

” The mission is to rebrand and revalue the Nigerian nursing entity toward re-positioning the profession for global nursing opportunities and innovations in education, practice, research and leadership.

“The platform hopes to offer necessary support to young nurses, nursing leaders, relevant nursing bodies and all stakeholders in their diligent pursuance of a better future for African nursing.

“The public should also visit us on www.nursesonair.com,” she said.

NAN reports that parts of the activities of the day included presentation of awards to deserving nurses and the retirees. (NAN)
KOJE/LED/VIV/EAL
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Ekemini Ladejobi

Health

Nurses free to establish maternity homes – Director

Nurses free to establish maternity homes – Director
By Yetunde Fatungase
Nurses
Abeokuta, April 12, 2018 (NAN) Mrs Patience Odutayo, the Director of Nursing Services, Ogun State Hospital Management Board, on Thursday said that nurses were free to establish clinics and maternity homes if necessary requirements are met.
Odutayo said this in an interview with journalists shortly after a leadership workshop for Ogun Government Nurses in Abeokuta.
The theme of the programme is tagged “Role of the Nurse Leaders; Upholding Nursing Integrity and Nurses welfare”.
She explained that a nurse who wanted to establish and operate a clinic and maternity homes must be educated and licensed from appropriate authority and follow laid down rules and regulations.
The director however warned that the state government frowned at professionals practicing illegally, warning that anyone caught will face the wrath of the law.
“In Ogun state we don’t give room for people practicing illegally; once you are caught, you face the wrath of the law,” she said.
On the theme of the programme, she explained that the event was coming at the right time, saying that for every association to move forward, leaders must be up to standard.
The director enjoined nursing leaders to uphold the ethics of the profession and also keep the work environment safe for members of staff to perform better.
Mrs Ronke Arowosegbe, the Chairperson, State Government Nurses Forum (SGNF), noted that the role of nurses in the health sector was critical and complementary.
She explained that the profession was faced with challenges especially in the areas of welfare and shortage of manpower, which had affected the nurses physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.
“All these have effect on our family responsibilities; not able to do what is expected of you as a mother and wife. It affects our social and professional lives,” she said.
Arowosegbe stated that the nurse/patients ratio should be one nurse to four patients, saying that what applied in most hospitals is more than 10 patients to one nurse.
She implored the state Hospital Management Board to ensure that more nurses were employed and deployed appropriately.
Mrs Roseline Solarin, the State Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifery (NANNM), described the workshop as a way of encouraging and developing the nursing leaders and giving them more information on what they needed to know. (NAN)
YAF/HS/MST
Edited by Halima Sheji/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

FCTA to recruit 200 midwives in 2018 – Minister

FCTA to recruit 200 midwives in 2018 – Minister
By Mustapha Sumaila
Recruitment
Abuja, April 11, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than 200 midwives will be recruited this year to boost primary health care services by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says the FCT Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Bello.

Bello disclosed this when receiving the Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, who visited Kuchigoro Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), Abuja, on Wednesday.
NAN recalls that President Buahri launched the Kuchigoro PHC as a pilot of the revitilisation project on Jan. 3, 2017.
Represented by the Secretary of Education, FCTA, Sen. Isa Maina, the minister said that the plan to engage the midwives had been captured in 2018 budget.
He explained that FCTA was working with the six area councils to upgrade all the primary healthcare facilities in the territory.
According to him, the plan is to have functional PHCs that will provide quality healthcare services like maternal healthcare, treatment of common ailments, immunisation, and HIV counseling and testing.
Bello said that the FCTA had constructed and equipped 18 PHCs across the FCT.
He said that additional 18 were being reconstructed and renovated to provide healthcare services to the people at the grass roots.
“Our communities are being mobilised to own the project for sustainability and maintenance.
“We welcome the support and cooperation of WHO in revitalising our PHCs for improved infrastructure,” he said.
The Acting Executive Secretary of FCT Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr Mathew Ashikeni, later told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the event that the board was doing everything possible to ensure maintenance of PHCs in the territory.
Ashikeni said that Community Based Committees have been set up to ensure involvement of the people so as to take ownership of the facilities. (NAN)
MS/KTO/MST
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

JUTH gets 7-day ultimatum to resolve dispute with nurses

NAN-H-10
Ultimatum
Jos, March 27, 2017 (NAN) The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)) Chapter, has given the management of the hospital a seven-day ultimatum to resolve its dispute with the nurses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nurses have stopped shift duties, since March 7, over the non-payment of three months arrears of shift duty allowances.

NAN further reports that all the nurses crowd into the hospital for the morning shift, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and come to work only on week days, leaving patients unattended to, between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m..

The nurses have resolved to maintain the one-shift working hours until their demands are met.

Mr Mustapha Kabir, JOHESU Chairman, who spoke on the situation, however told NAN that other workers would join the fray if management failed to settle the nurses in the next seven days.

“We have given the management a 7-day ultimatum within which to resolve the issues with the nurses. If that is not done, other workers will shun the shift duties,” Kabir told NAN on Monday in Jos.

According to him, JOHESU has resolved that other health workers, aside the nurses, would also shun shift duties at the expiration of the ultimatum.

Kabir attributed the non-payment of the arrears to payment migration to the IPPIS, in 2015.

“From our findings, N63 million was released to the management in December 2015 for payment of the three months’ shift duty allowances, but the money was not withdrawn before it was mopped up.

“We have consistently reminded management to seek the money and pay; if it fails, we shall join the nurses and we shall all be out of this hospital by 4 p.m. everyday,” he said.

Reacting, Dr. Edmund Banwat, the Chief Medical Director of JUTH, told NAN that the management of the hospital had taken steps to resolve the lingering issue.

Banwat, however, said that the union had shelved its initial threat to join nurses in boycotting shift duties. (NAN)
UBO/AJA/ETS
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi and Ephraims Sheyin