By Jamilu Abubakar
The Gombe State Ministry of Health has launched the “Show Your Practising Licence” exercise to ensure that all nurses and midwives in the state possess valid practising licences issued by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Launching the exercise at the State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Danladi Adamu Bojude, said the initiative would strengthen professionalism, improve accountability and protect patients from unqualified practitioners.
He urged nurses and midwives to keep their practising licences valid, stressing that only licensed professionals should provide nursing and midwifery services.
Earlier, the Director of Nursing Services, Gombe State Ministry of Health, Alhaji Idris Atiku, described the exercise as a regulatory measure to eliminate quackery and promote quality healthcare.
He said the State Specialist Hospital was selected for the launch because it is the state’s apex hospital with nearly 300 nurses and midwives.
Alhaji Atiku said the exercise would be extended to all government and private health facilities after the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Programme.
He commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for supporting the health sector and praised the Commissioner for Health for promoting high professional standards.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Gombe State Council, Lekke Martins, said the exercise would protect the integrity of the profession and improve patient safety.
He described a practising licence as proof of competence, accountability and commitment to safe healthcare.
Mr. Martins urged nurses and midwives to renew their licences promptly and called on healthcare institutions to employ only qualified and licensed professionals.
He pledged the association’s support for the exercise and efforts to eliminate quackery in the healthcare system.
The event was attended by officials of the Ministry of Health, the Gombe State Hospitals Management Board, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Jhpiego, as well as other health sector stakeholders.
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