Imo Nurses resolve lingering leadership tussle

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Imo Ministry of Health have resolved a lingering issue of who becomes the director of nursing in the ministry.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Johnny Ihebereme, told its deputy directors in Owerri on Thursday that the requisite qualification for the position was now a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

Ihebereme said the decision was based on the national and global best practice criteria jointly worked out by the association and the ministry.

He said only directors on grade level 15 who possessed the B. Sc certificate in nursing would be eligible for the position.

He said, however, that the holder of the degree must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

He also urged the eligible deputy directors to submit their credentials to ensure proper placement when the substantive director retired in November.

The permanent secretary commended the professional bodies for reaching the criteria which he said had proffered a lasting solution to the seniority conflict.

He said the ministry would continue to follow the acceptable national and global bestpractices.