Abuja: Mrs. Mary Oritimehin, Provost of Oasis College of Nursing Sciences, Kuje, Abuja, has urged government at all levels to improve the remuneration of nurses as a motivation to give their best to the profession. Oritimehin made this appeal during the matriculation ceremony of 113 students at the college in Abuja, emphasizing the need for a better working environment to prevent brain drain in the health sector.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oritimehin highlighted that Nigerian nurses receive high regard abroad due to their rigorous training. However, she lamented that inadequate remuneration and unfavorable working conditions in Nigeria are driving these professionals to seek opportunities elsewhere. She stated that substantial resources are allocated to train nurses in the country, yet many do not remain to enhance the local healthcare system.
Oritimehin proposed that the issue could be tackled through deliberate policy measures aimed at improving the lives of nurses, allowing them to practice their profession effortlessly within the country. She emphasized that if nurses have the opportunity to improve their living standards locally, the allure of moving abroad would diminish.
She expressed concern over the current scenario where two nurses are responsible for attending to over 40 patients, which she believes adversely affects their mental health and the nursing profession’s reputation. Oritimehin announced the matriculation of 113 students into basic and national diploma nursing courses, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s health systems.
In his remarks, Mr. Chukwudi Odoh, Registrar of the College, stated that the institution is committed to developing manpower for the health sector. He mentioned that various regulatory bodies, including the Nursing Council of Nigeria, National Board for Technical Education, and the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, have provided necessary approvals for admissions.
One of the newly admitted students, Michael Amarachi, expressed his excitement about joining the college to study basic nursing. He shared his motivation, recalling the pain of losing his uncle and his desire to contribute to improving the health of Nigeria’s population.