FG, health workers have roles to play to stem JAPA in Nigeria- Octogenarian Nurse, Mercy

By Maxwell Nwafor, Akwa-ibom 

The Nigerian government and health practitioners across the country have been urged to stem the tide of mass movement of doctors and nurses from Nigeria to overseas for greener pastures.

Eighty-two-year old retired nurse, Mercy Umoh made this known while in an interview with newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

She noted that the nursing profession is a calling in which anyone who decides to take it up must have sympathy, empathy, humility and a persevering spirit to excel.

Umoh encouraged Nigerian nurses to remain selfless in service delivery and handle patients as if they were their family members and friends advising them against joining the bandwagon of journeys overseas.

The award winning nurse admitted that in-as-much as nurses should offer selfless service; they still have their lives to live, therefore, the government should provide an enabling environment and better working conditions for them to put in their best.

She noted that apart from the need to increase their wages and other entitlements, the government should constantly train nurses to be in tune with the international best practices.

“Government has to do more on training nurses. If they choose to be a nurse; they should be encouraged to be a good nurse. With the way the country is going now it’s not easy to be a good nurse. Nursing is not a job that you can do anyhow, you have to think about what you are going into, and do it better” she said.