Stakeholders back Lagos College of Nursing

By Tope Musowo Lagos

Stakeholders in the nursing profession have commended the Lagos state government for establishment of a College of Nursing for the development of the profession in the state.

Th ey said this at a one-day stakeholders meeting on a bill for a law to establish the Lagos State College of Nursing (School of Nursing, Midwifery and Public Health Nursing) and other connected purposes.

Th e stakeholders, who comprised of nurses, health services administrators, doctors and members of the public, agreed that there was the need to upgrade the current school of nursing in the state and ensure standard in the industry. While contributing to the proposed law, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Modele Oshikiyesi , observed that the council of the school might not be in a position to appoint the head of the school.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Lagos Council of Nursing, Comrade Olurotimi Akinjide, observed that nurses do not make medical diagnosis, but nursing diagnosis. “We are concerned about responses to illness and treatments. Nursing diagnosis is not medical diagnosis. A representative of the Nigerian nurses and midwives should be represented at the council of the college.

“Th e head of the college should be a degree holder in nursing and not in any other profession or fi eld. Th e same goes for other principal offi cers of the school,” he said. Th is was corroborated by the Head of the Department of Nursing in the College of Medicine of the Lagos State University, Dr. Bola Obembe, who emphasised that the Provost of the school should have a minimum of masters degree in nursing.

In his keynote address, the Speaker Lagos stae House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon Sanai Agunbiade, described the Bill as timely

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