Auxiliary nurses are not registered nurses -AGPNP

By Yetunde Oke

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says his administration will continue to support continuous training for nurses to discourage brain drain.

Governor Makinde, gave the assurance at the 14th Annual General Meeting/National Scientific Conference of the Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPNP, held in Ibadan.

The governor, who was represented by an official in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Adekunle Aremu, noted that his administration would ensure that nurses are promoted to appropriate levels in the civil service.

Governor Makinde added that the state government has trained community nurses for effective service delivery at the grassroots.

Speaking on the theme, “ Nurses’ Education, Economic and Political Advancement in Nigeria: Challenges and the way forward” the guest lecturer, who is also the Head of Nursing Department, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Dr Adelani Tijani, urged government at all levels to prioritise nurses in formulation of health-related policies, as they have been sidelined in decision making for years.

According to Dr Tijani, nurses in developed countries are the pillars of the health sector after medical doctors.

In their separate remarks, the National President, Association of General Private Nursing Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPNP, Prince Balogun Ajiboye and Oyo State Chairman of the association, Chief Jacob Alade, lamented the activities of quacks in the nursing profession, stressing that Auxiliary Nurses are not registered nurses.

Highlight of the event was presentation of awards to outstanding Nigerians, including an 82 year old woman, Madam Eunice Kayode, MFR who is the founder of popular Omotayo Marternity, now known as Omotayo Hospital, Ibadan.

Onpetu of Ijeru Kingdom, Ogbomosho, Oba Sunday Oyediran and Director of Nursing Services, Oyo State, Dr Arinade Oyebode were among dignitaries at the event.