The Delta State Government has commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for giving its approval for the upgrade of the Schools of Midwifery, Asaba and Sapele to Collegiate system, and the accreditation of nursing degree programmes at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba and University of Delta, Agbor.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, gave the commendation today during a courtesy visit by the Secretary/Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, in his office in Asaba.
Dr. Emu stated that with this approval the State was confident that it would go a long way to satisfy the aspirations and yearnings of those looking forward to practicing the nursing profession in the state, and also help produce nurses that would meet the current shortfall of nurses in the nation, due to brain drain.
He assured that the government was committed to upgrading the infrastructure in the Colleges of Nursing, while stating that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori had approved recruiting nurse tutors for the various nursing colleges.
In his remarks, the Secretary/Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Alhaji Farouk Abubakar, said the State had a track record of living up to standards and fulfilling its commitment, hence the approval for the upgrade of the two Midwifery schools and accreditation of the nursing courses in the Universities.
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed that the Council had introduced a community nursing programme to enable graduates to work in Primary Health Care Centres to help reduce the high maternal mortality rate.