By Aderogba George
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) on Tuesday in Abuja called for comprehensive health insurance coverage for all Nigerian nurses to enhance their ability to perform their duties effectively.
The council also advocated the establishment of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), calling them ‘invaluable tools’ that offer mental health services, stress management and conflict-resolution support for nurses.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Alhaji Ndagi Alhassan, made the call at the opening of the 25th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives (WAPCNM), Nigeria Chapter.
The theme of the conference is “Healthy Nurses, Healthier Patients: Advancing Employee Assistance Programmes and Health Insurance in Nigeria.”
Alhassan said nurses face huge challenges in protecting their own health while caring for others, noting that pressure, workload and emotional strain associated with the profession often affect their physical and mental well-being.
He said it was important to create a work environment that prioritises the welfare of nurses, adding that such progress would depend on advancing and integrating comprehensive EAPs and effective health insurance schemes for health workers.
“The theme of this programme brings to the forefront the undeniable connection between the well-being of nurses and the quality of care that patients receive.
“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and their health, mental well-being and job satisfaction are paramount to the quality of service we provide as a nation,” he said.
He added that providing EAPs and health insurance is critical to helping nurses manage the demands of their work and maintain a balanced, healthy life.
Alhassan stressed the need for all healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to have access to affordable and adequate health insurance, saying this would guarantee their security and encourage a stronger health system.
“By advancing health insurance for nurses, we are making a significant investment in the future of healthcare delivery in Nigeria,” he said.
He also urged stakeholders to support policies that uplift nurses and ensure that such programmes are implemented in practical terms to drive lasting improvements in the nation’s health sector.
In her goodwill message, the President of WAPCNM, Dr Joan Shepherd, said the conference theme and sub-themes were timely and relevant to strengthening the healthcare workforce.
She said her priorities for the College include ensuring the relevance of fellows in an increasingly complex world and advancing the development of the College’s Abuja landed project.
Shepherd appreciated the Federal Government for its continued support, noting that its commitment to the College of Nurses and Midwives remains a source of hope for the clients and patients it serves.
Also speaking, the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nurse Haruna Mamman, commended the conference theme, saying it underscores the link between the health of nurses and the health of patients.
He said the World Health Organisation defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, emphasising that nurses must attain these standards to provide quality care.
Mamman said the health status of nurses directly influences patient outcomes, adding that “the healthier the nurse or midwife, the healthier the patient or client”. (NAN)