Lagos Nurses Decry Omega Pentecostal Ministry’s Act on Quacks Training

1
1176
pharmacy

The entire nurses of Lagos State have condemned the action of a denomination, with the name Omega Pentecostal Ministry (OPM) for embarking on a three-week training of quack nurses, without the approval of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) or that of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The Lagos State NANNM Chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Julius Awojide, expressed the displeasure of all nurses in the state to the ugly development, calling for urgent disciplinary action to be taken against the denomination by NMCN as well as the national body of NANNM, in order to forestall further degeneration in the noble profession.

L-R: The Royal Father of the day, Oba Hakeem A.Eweobaja 1,Oba of Aguda Town, Lagos and the Lagos NANNM Chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Awojide at the event

Awojide spoke at the 2017 Nurses Week Opening Ceremony, held at the Nurses House, on Amara Olu Street, Agidingbin, Ikeja on Tuesday 19, September 2017.He noted that nursing is a great and respected profession, the world over, but quackery constitutes menace to the society.

READ
My forty years of PSN conferences

He pleaded with the governor on a number of issues affecting his members, among which were, the urgent passage of a bill for a law to establish the Lagos State College of Nursing and other connected matters; the implementation of Public Service Rule 150134 regarding the payment of uniform allowances for nurses; approval of the mandatory community service for the graduands of the Lagos State School of Basic Midwifery, and others.

Mrs Shonibare along with Comrade Awojide, presenting a portrait of Governor Ambode to his representative, Dr Onanuga at the event.

In his address, the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi  Ambode, commended the Lagos State National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for organising such scientific session, stating that healthcare is central to development, and nursing is a profession that requires lifetime sacrifice, compassion and dedication to be successful.

The Governor, who was ably represented by the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, assured the nurse of the commitment of the state government to healthcare, and particularly to nursing, urging them to strive to give their best at all time for the progress of healthcare delivery in the state.

READ
Lagos ALPs Honours Okoli, Atueyi, Adeleke, Others at 2024 Forum

The high point of the conference was the presentation of a portrait of Governor Ambode to his representative, Dr Onanuga, which was highly cheered by the audience and all guests, as every nurse struggled to catch a snapshot of the presentation.

 

Cross section of nurses and Apex matrons at the event

 

The Keynote Speaker, sub-dean, College of Nursing, Babcock University,  Professor Joseph Aina, acknowledged  the laudability of the SDGs, but noted with dismay that if nurses, who occupy central position between doctors and patients are not well aligned, the whole essence of the SDGs might be jeopardized, because the better the education of nurses, the better patients healthcare outcomes.

Whereas the church OPM claimed it was  a way of giving back to the people by empowering its members through free skills acquisition programme titled: “society for safe motherhood.”

READ
Salt City Pharma, Ebonyi Community, Sign MoU

In a video posted online, the quack nurses, all clad in white uniforms boasted that in less than three weeks, using the curriculum of the mother for safe motherhood, they had learnt how to assess the gestational age of the foetus, give injections and set up infusions, administer immunization, amongst other health services.

However, the zonal officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria in a statement posted on facebook had assured nurses that the council is aware of the issue and “we are going to do everything possible to investigate and get to the root of the matter and necessary actions taken”.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here