Nursing Ambassadors of Nigeria - Ibom Nurses' Link

01/10/2025

*FULL LIST: Flagyl, Artemether-Lumefantrine among 101 drugs delisted by NAFDAC*

September 30, 2025

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has delisted 101 drugs from circulation in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the agency said the affected products are no longer permitted for manufacturing, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, or use in the country.

NAFDAC said the action followed requests by market authorisation holders to withdraw some products, while others were suspended or cancelled by the agency.

The agency noted that a suspension applies when the conditions under which a registration licence was issued are no longer met, while a cancellation occurs when NAFDAC revokes a product’s licence.

The delisted products cut across a wide range of medicines and health items — from antimalarials (various artemether/lumefantrine formulations) and cough treatments to vaccines (such as Cryomarex Rispens HVT), insulin and growth-hormone injectables (like Norditropin), diabetes medicines (Januvia/Janumet), inhalers, and eye drops.

Checks by TheCable showed that some popular medicines are on the list, including Flagyl suspension and tablet — widely used to treat diarrhoea; Penicillin G Sodium Sandoz powder, prescribed for bacterial infections; Artemether/Lumefantrine, an antimalarial; and Elisca eye drops, used in treating eye infections.

“This is to inform the General Public that the following products are approved for withdrawal, suspension and cancellation by NAFDAC,” the statement reads.

“They are therefore no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use within Nigeria.

“Please note that the certificate of registration of a product is said to be withdrawn when the use of the Certificate of Registration of that product is discontinued upon request of the Market Authorization Holder.”

See full list below:

S/N, Product name, Dosage form NAFDAC Number Active Ingredient, Market Authorization Holder, Application Purpose

1 Abacavir Sulfate/Lamivudine Dispersible Tablets 60mg/30mg Tablets C4-1180 Abacavir sulfate and Lamivudine Healthline Limited Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

2 Amaryl M Tablets Tablets A4-2619 Glimepiride + Metformin Hydrochloride Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

3 Amaryl M SR Tablets Tablets A4-7296 Glimepiride + Metformin Hydrochloride Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

4 Aprovasc 150mg/5mg tablets Tablets B4-2687 Amlodipine Besylate + ? (Aprovasc) Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

5 Artemether/Lumefantrine 40mg/240mg Tablets Tablets B4-5745 Artemether/Lumefantrine 40mg/240mg Healthline Limited Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

6 ASAQ (Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop) 100mg/270mg Tablets Tablets A4-3357 Artesunate Amodiaquine Winthrop 100mg/270mg Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

7 ASAQ (Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop) 25mg/67.5mg Tablets Tablets A4-3406 Artesunate Amodiaquine Winthrop 25mg/67.5mg Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

8 ASAQ (Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop) 50mg/135mg Tablets Tablets A4-3405 Artesunate Amodiaquine Winthrop 50mg/135mg Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

9 Betopic Eye drop Eye Drop 04 2404 Betaxolol Hydrochloride Novartis Nigeria Limited Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder

10 Coaprovel 300mg/25mg Tablets Tablets B4-2317 Hydrochlorothiazide + Irbesartan Sanofi Aventis Nigeria Ltd Withdrawn Voluntarily by Market Authorization Holder
Others can be found here.

29/09/2025

*AKWA IBOM HEALTH MINISTRY CLEARS AIR ON VIRAL VIDEO AT IKOT EKPENE HOSPITAL*

The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, through the Permanent Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Abraham Inyangudo, has debunked allegations of patient neglect at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, following a viral video that surfaced on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The video, released by one Ms. Idongesit Edet, alleged that her mother was abandoned at the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit. But an investigation ordered by the Commissioner for Health and carried out by the Director of Medical Services found the claims to be false and misleading.

Hospital records revealed that Ms. Edet barged into a consulting room without permission, attempted to record a doctor who declined consent, and in the process exposed the identities of her mother and other patients.

The records also showed her mother was first attended to at 7:45 a.m. and had multiple reviews by doctors and nurses up until 11:45 p.m. the same day.

“The patient was never in immediate clinical danger, and staff continued to provide professional care despite the disruption,” the Ministry stated.

The Ministry condemned the unauthorized recording and its online publication, describing it as a breach of patients’ rights and privacy. It disclosed that Ms. Edet’s family has since apologized, expressing embarrassment over the exposure of their mother’s medical condition.

A formal complaint has been lodged with the Nigerian Police, while the Ministry of Justice is considering legal action to safeguard the hospital’s reputation.

Citing Section 11 of the National Health Act, the Ministry stressed that healthcare providers are protected under the law and may refuse treatment in cases of abuse, except where linked to psychiatric illness.

As part of preventive measures, the Ministry directed that:
All government hospitals must display public complaint helplines within 72 hours.
Complaints should be routed through official channels, including the Health Ombudsman.
Hospitals will not be allowed to serve as platforms for “social media drama.”
Anyone who assaults health workers or violates patient rights will undergo psychiatric evaluation and, if fit, face prosecution.

29/09/2025

...Breaking news!!!

AKWA IBOM STATE HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY INTRODUCES ONLINE SELF ENROLLMENT PLATFORM AS CITIZENS CAN NOW ENROLL INTO THE SCHEME BY JUST A CLICK ON THE LINK OR BY SCANNING A QR CODE.

The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency has introduced a digital self enrollment platform to enable individuals register on the scheme from anywhere in the world.

This initiative was necessary to remove the barrier of having to visit the physical office to be registered into the scheme.

His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno PhD is improving the livelihood of very many people in our state and currently over 65,000 people have benefited from the health insurance scheme since inauguration last year September.

Kindly click on the link attached here https://akshia.com/portal/ or scan the above QR code to enroll yourself or loved one with just a token and enjoy quality and affordable health services.

Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme! Care for you, care for all!

AKSHIA is the state body which provides coverage for health care and related services. Through these offerings, we improve and protect the health and financial security of consumers, families, businesses and communities of the state. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private part...

25/09/2025

*N100,000 FOR GRADE: - HOW KWARA NURSING COLLEGE PROVOST MANIPULATES EXAMS, ALTERS RESULTS, FORCES STUDENTS TO PAY N100,000 BRIBE TO PASS*

September 25, 2025

Insiders at the school told SaharaReporters that the Provost and some staff members have turned examinations and admissions into a racket for money and political influence.

The Kwara State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Oke-Ode, in Ifelodun Local Government Area, is enmeshed in a growing storm of corruption, manipulation, and brazen impunity, with staff members and students accusing the Provost, Mr. Abdulquadri Olanrewaju, of running the institution like his personal business empire.

Insiders at the school told SaharaReporters that the Provost and some staff members have turned examinations and admissions into a racket for money and political influence.

“Some of the staff members, including the school provost, are manipulating results for students. These students are very confident that even if they had an issue with their colleagues, they will threaten them that they will not pass,” a staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Another source described the atmosphere of fear on campus, saying, “People always panic because of this. They are now scared of this set of students because they have an affiliation with the provost.”

SaharaReporters learnt that it is not just internal examinations that are being manipulated. The provost is also accused of tampering with entrance examinations and admissions into the school.

“He is not allowing people to get admission on merit. He will be the one to write the names of people he wants to give admission to and send to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) himself. This is a claim the government can verify through JAMB,” a staff member revealed.

Multiple students and parents confirmed to SaharaReporters that the provost and his cronies allegedly demand bribes ranging from N50,000 to N100,000 before releasing results or granting passage into the next stage of training.

“They will put like 400 students in a class, and after the exam, they will ask them to pay N100,000 for them to pass. And we have some students who passed the exam by their efforts, but since the management did not know how they passed those exams, they will still fail them,” a source said.

When the extortion drew the attention of the Nursing and Midwifery Council zonal representative, the management reportedly reduced the fee to N50,000. But the burden on poor families remains crushing.

SaharaReporters learned of a case involving a female student whose mother, a petty trader, had to borrow from a microfinance lender to pay the bribe.

“There is a student who paid this N50,000, and all her mother’s businesses were not up to N100,000. However, this woman went ahead and borrowed a microfinance bank loan, just so her daughter could cross the road. When they saw the student, they asked her, ‘Who are you? Who asked you to pay?’ Then they went into the system and altered her result to fail,” a staff member disclosed.

According to the source, the student had initially seen her result marked as “pass,” but after payment and confrontation, the result was mysteriously changed to “fail,” with no refund given.

“That’s the student who first checked her result with a pass and was later failed after paying and without a refund despite pleading from the poor parents,” the source lamented.

The Kwara State College of Nursing was originally designed as a centre of excellence to produce “academically sound, morally upright, and professionally impeccable nurses.” But insiders say that vision has now been aborted.

Instead of merit and academic excellence, the school is allegedly now defined by bribery, nepotism, forgery, and fraud, with the provost at the centre of it.

Sources revealed that Olanrewaju was controversially appointed in October 2022 despite not meeting the key requirement of possessing a degree in Nursing, as stipulated by law and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

He admitted in his CV that his B.Sc. in Nursing is still “ongoing” at the National Open University of Nigeria, while another Nursing degree from Malaysia is “in view.” Critics argue that he should never have been appointed.

Yet, since assuming office, Olanrewaju has been accused in multiple petitions of corruption, forgery, extortion, and altering students’ results for cash.

Despite petitions and documented evidence, a government panel controversially cleared him, only asking him to sign an MOU promising to work peacefully with other staff, a decision stakeholders described as a political cover-up.

All attempts made by SaharaReporters to reach Provost Mr. Abdulquadri Olanrewaju were unsuccessful.

He did not answer the call made to him and has yet to respond to messages sent via WhatsApp.

25/09/2025

*CLOSURE OF UNAPPROVED SCHOOLS*

24th September 2025

…Defaulters Arrested

Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education led by the Honourable Commissioner, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, has commenced the arrest and prosecution of operators of unapproved private schools who violated the Ministry’s directives of closure.

During the Ministry’s regular monitoring exercise, the education commissioner observed that while several operators of unauthorized private school had obeyed the Ministry’s directive and shut down operations, few operators had unsealed their school premises and continued with academic activities.

The Ministry of Education wishes to reiterate its stance on the closure of unauthorized and rogue schools operating in Akwa Ibom State. Accordingly, parents and guardians in both urban and rural communities are strongly advised not to enroll their children or wards in any private school that is not duly registered or licensed by the Ministry of Education, as the state-wide enforcement exercise to identify and seal off all unauthorized schools will continue throughout the school year.

This exercise is aimed at standardizing educational delivery across the state, ensuring compliance with approved standards, and ridding our educational system of substandard institutions that compromise the future of children in Akwa Ibom State

25/09/2025

*CROSS RIVER BANS SCHOOL LESSONS AFTER 2PM, ROLLS OUT SWEEPING EDUCATION REFORMS*

The Cross River State Government has announced major reforms to standardize school operations, safeguard pupils, and improve data management across the state.

The reforms—approved by Governor Bassey Otu and unveiled today by the Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, in Calabar—take immediate effect.

*Key Highlights:*

✅ Unified Academic Calendar – All public and private schools must now operate under one state-approved timetable.

✅ Graduation Rules – Ceremonies limited to Primary 6, JSS3, and SS3 classes only.

✅ Textbook Regulation – Only Ministry-approved, reusable textbooks allowed.

✅ No Lessons After 2PM – Primary schools close by 1PM, secondary schools by 2PM. Compulsory after-school lessons are banned; extra coaching only with parental consent.

✅ Anti-Drug Clubs – Every school must establish one to tackle drug abuse.

✅ Bullying Policy – Anti-Bullying Committees are mandatory; offenders face instant expulsion.

✅ Index Number System – From 2025/26 session, every pupil will be assigned a unique ID for accurate records.

The Commissioner stressed that strict compliance is mandatory, warning that violators face sanctions, including derecognition and withdrawal of licenses

25/09/2025

*FG SETS OCT 6 DEADLINE FOR CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION UNDER NEW EDUCATION POLICY*

Date: 24 Sep 2025

The Federal Government has set October 6, 2025, as the commencement date for mandatory nationwide verification of academic credentials, as part of efforts to curb certificate racketeering and restore integrity to Nigeria’s education system.

The directive is contained in a service-wide circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and addressed to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as public and private tertiary institutions.

According to the circular, the enforcement will be implemented through the National Credential Verification Service (NCVS), which operates under the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD).

It mandates that both existing and prospective staff in public and private institutions must obtain clearance from the NCVS before their appointments can be confirmed. Each verified credential will be assigned a National Credential Number (NCN) with security codes to ensure traceability and authenticity.

Government officials said the new mechanism represents a shift from past interventions, creating a centralised quality assurance system that is independent of individual institutions. The initiative draws its legal backing from Section 10(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act 1985.

The NCVS was launched in March 2025 by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, following Federal Executive Council approval. At the time, Alausa described the policy as “a decisive move to end fake degrees, phoney honours, and diploma mills undermining Nigeria’s education credibility.”

In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Haula Galadima, Executive Director of Communication and Cybersecurity at NERD, confirmed that all verification services are now fully operational.

She urged MDAs, tertiary institutions, and private employers to enrol their NERD focal persons and records officers through the onboarding portal.

“NERD is a federation initiative and the nation’s standard for higher education digitisation,” Galadima said. “It is designed to protect national security, safeguard education integrity, and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s academic system.”

She explained that NERD administers unique identifiers such as the National Student Number (NSN), the National Credential Number (NCN), and the National Document Number (NDN), allowing instant authentication of certificates and awards. These will also feed into a National Database of Resource Persons.

“By October 6, fake degrees and unearned honours will no longer slip through the cracks. Every credential presented in Nigeria must be verifiable at the click of a button,” Galadima said.

The NERD Governing Council, chaired by the Minister of Education, includes representatives of the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, the National Commission for Colleges of Education, the Committee of Vice Chancellors, the Committee of Rectors, the Committee of Provosts, the National Library, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

According to Galadima, the strength of the new policy lies in its ability to link decentralised institutional databases into a federated system, while preserving institutional autonomy. She noted that fake certificates had thrived largely because of weak verification processes that were sometimes compromised.

“This reform is jointly owned by all tertiary institutions and regulatory agencies,” she said. “It provides a one-stop platform that ensures every academic credential is both authentic and digitally traceable.”

23/09/2025

HAPPY 38th ANNIVERSARY TO AKWA IBOM STATE – LAND OF PROMISE!

Today, we proudly celebrate the birth of our beloved Akwa Ibom, created on September 23, 1987. Over the years, our state has grown into a shining beacon in Nigeria — blessed with rich natural resources, breathtaking landscapes, and above all, a people whose warmth, resilience, and creativity remain unmatched.

Akwa Ibom is known not only as a leading oil and gas producing state, but also as a land of culture, innovation, and excellence. From the delicious flavors of Afang, Edikang Ikong, and Afia Efere, to the vibrant dances, colorful festivals, and the unmatched hospitality of our people, we carry a heritage that continues to inspire pride at home and abroad.

Our sons and daughters excel in every field; from governance and business to arts, education, and sports.flying the Akwa Ibom flag with dignity wherever they go. Truly, we are a people of talent, vision, and purpose.

As we celebrate this milestone, let us also reflect on our journey so far and renew our call for progress, accountability, and greater opportunities for our people. Akwa Ibom deserves more, and together, through unity, faith, and hard work, we can achieve the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Akwa Ibom State — 38 years of growth, pride, and resilience! May the next chapter bring us closer to the greatness we are destined for.

22/09/2025

*UPDATE FROM AKS MEDICAL OXYGEN PRODUCTION PLANT*

22/09/2025

AKWA IBOM STATE HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME ARISECARE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF IMPACT

The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme (AKSHIS) codenamed ARISECare has clocked one year of impactful service delivery.

AKSHIS which was rolled out by the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency was officially launched on 20th September, 2024 by our very visionary and compassionate governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno PhD to abolish the very high expenditures in Healthcare that had hitherto led to many mortalities and serious morbidities.

The scheme has been expanding over the course of the year and has commenced all the sectors viz; formal, informal and vulnerables.

From under 11,000 enrollees during the launch of the scheme a year ago, AKSHIA has enrolled over 140,000 beneficiaries who are fully covered to receive care in one way or the other under the ARISECARE scheme.

Surgical operations carried out within this time is in excess of 426 .

Over 706 of our women have had childbirth free fully paid for by the scheme.

Above 175 women have had free caesarean sections in the period under review.

The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency has accredited over 126 health facilities including primary, secondary and a tertiary healthcare centre as well as private hospitals, stand-alone labs and pharmacies across the state to offer health insurance cover for all indigenes and citizens of our state.

Recall that AKSHIA was nationally awarded in April this year as the fastest growing health insurance agency 2025 in terms of number and coverage by the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care in Nigeria.

The Scheme has just commenced access to care for the formal sector (civil servants) where the Governor had paid full premium for all the junior civil servants in the state for one year while the informal and vulnerable people’s sectors commenced last year immediately after the launch.

Just last week, our Agency launched a ‘self enrollment platform’. This helps to remove the physical barrier of having to come to our office at #29 Wellington Bassey way, Uyo to be enrolled. Now, one can just enroll into ARISECare by clicking on https://akshia.com/portal/ and following some few simple steps and then making a payment of about N18,000 per head per year to enjoy our services and coverage.

Earlier this week, the governing Board of AKSHIA held its 3rd quarter Board meeting precisely on Wednesday 7th September to measure progress, evaluate challenges and chart a way forward for the Agency. The meeting which was presided by the Board Chairman, Dr Edikan Ekwere and had the Executive Secretary Dr Igbemi Arthur Igbemi and other Board Members in attendance commended the declaration of state of emergency in the health sector of the state by the governor while pledging full support to the ARISE agenda in healthcare for a favorable outcome amongst other discussions.

We thank God for the grace to come this far and appreciate principally, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno PhD for trusting in our capacities and caring for the masses massively and holistically.

Further recognition and appreciation goes to our very dynamic and result oriented Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John and his fantastic team for his guidance, leadership and commitment to set goals and achieve same and not forgetting the very esteemed members of the Board and staff of AKSHIA as well as all the critical stakeholders in healthcare in Akwa Ibom State.

In AKSHIA, we mean business and your health is our priority.

Happy 1st Anniversary to AKSHIS and to God be the glory!

18/09/2025

REJOINDER

In Defense of the Nursing Profession: Setting the Record Straight on Roles in Primary Health Care Facilities

Our attention has been drawn to a recent press release titled “Clarification on the Roles and Responsibilities of Nurses and Community Health Practitioners in Primary Health Care Facilities” issued by RCHP Advocate, Mr. N.A. Alowonle.

While we welcome all efforts aimed at clarifying roles within Nigeria’s healthcare system, it is necessary to address the misrepresentations and unprofessional tone in the said release, particularly concerning the nursing profession. This rejoinder seeks to provide a factual, respectful, and professional correction to certain claims and to re-emphasize the central and irreplaceable role of Nurses in primary health care (PHC) delivery in Nigeria.

1. Nurses: The Foundation of Modern Health Systems

Nursing is one of the oldest and most respected professions in global healthcare. In Nigeria, Nurses have served — and continue to serve — as the frontline caregivers, particularly in underserved and rural areas where other professionals, including doctors and CHPs, are often absent.

It is a matter of public record that Community Health Practitioners were originally trained under the guidance and supervision of Nurses, and many continue to rely on Nurses for clinical mentorship. Therefore, any attempt to belittle or misrepresent the nursing profession is not only historically inaccurate but deeply disrespectful to the foundation on which the PHC system was built.

2. Misrepresentation of Nurses’ Scope of Practice
The claim that Nurses are “not empowered to independently diagnose and treat patients” is a partial and misleading interpretation of both the Nigerian Scheme of Service and global nursing standards.

While the Scheme of Service provides regulatory guidance, it does not reflect the full clinical realities in many PHCs across Nigeria. In these settings, Registered Nurses and Midwives often function as de facto clinicians, delivering diagnostic, therapeutic, and emergency services, especially in the absence of physicians or CHPs.

Furthermore, Nurses undergo rigorous clinical and academic training that includes:
Pathophysiology and pharmacology
Clinical assessment and diagnosis
Emergency and primary care procedures
Maternal and neonatal care
Public health and community mobilization
In several countries, including the U.S., UK, and South Africa, Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) or Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are legally empowered to diagnose, prescribe, and manage patients independently. Nigeria should be moving toward such progressive models — not backwards.

3. Headship of PHC Facilities: A Matter of Competence, Not Cadre
While it is true that the current Scheme of Service designates CHPs to head PHC facilities, this should not be used as a justification to undermine Nurses or question their leadership capabilities.

Leadership in healthcare should be based on:
Competence
Experience
Training
Service to the community

Nurses have, for decades, managed PHC centers in practice — especially where no CHPs or doctors are available. In many LGAs, Nurses are the only consistent healthcare providers in the community.

We support a review of the Scheme of Service to reflect a more inclusive and merit-based approach to facility leadership — one that recognizes both Nurses and CHPs based on experience, qualifications, and performance, not just cadre designation.
4. Call for Mutual Respect and Professional Collaboration

We are deeply concerned by the divisive tone of the original press release. Statements such as “Nurses remain essential professionals but are not empowered to lead PHC facilities” and “CHPs are not second-choice professionals” create unnecessary rivalry.

The health system does not need cadre superiority battles. It needs interprofessional respect, shared goals, and mutual support. No profession can function effectively in isolation.
Nurses, CHPs, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and other professionals are partners in health — not competitors. The patient is our common focus.

Conclusion

Let it be known:
1. Nurses are professionally and clinically capable of providing comprehensive primary health care, including diagnosis, treatment, and facility management, especially in rural settings.
2. The Scheme of Service must evolve to reflect modern realities and acknowledge the leadership roles Nurses have historically and currently played in PHC.
3. We call for respect, collaboration, and policy reform, not professional gatekeeping or disrespectful narratives.
The nursing profession remains committed to the health and wellbeing of all Nigerians, and we will continue to serve with excellence, compassion, and integrity, regardless of misrepresentations.

18/09/2025

PRESS RELEASE

Clarification on the Roles and Responsibilities of Nurses and Community Health Practitioners in Primary Health Care Facilities

Our attention has been drawn to a recent misunderstanding at the Primary Health Care Center, Oke Ero, Kwara State, between Nurses and Community Health Practitioners (CHPs) over the rightful headship of the facility. This release seeks to clarify the professional mandates of both cadres in line with the Nigerian Scheme of Service (2013 Revised Edition) and the Standing Orders for Community Health Practitioners in Nigeria (2012), and to reaffirm the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the health sector.

Duties and Responsibilities of Community Health Practitioners

Community Health Practitioners are licensed professionals trained to provide comprehensive primary health care services. According to the Scheme of Service (2013 Revised Edition, p. 65–72) and the Standing Orders (2012), their responsibilities include:

* Providing health education and counseling.

* Delivering preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services at every level of care.

* Diagnosing and treating common illnesses using the Standing Orders as their legal backing.

* Offering Antenatal, Maternal and neonatal support

* Coordinating immunization, family planning, maternal and child health, and disease control programs.

* Managing Primary Health Care facilities and supervising health teams at the community level.

Community Health Practitioners are unique and independent professionals whose mandate empowers them to practice without supervision from doctors or nurses. They are specifically designated by the Scheme of Service to head PHC facilities in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities of Nurses

* Nurses are highly respected health professionals whose core responsibilities, as outlined in the Scheme of Service (2013 Revised Edition, p. 91–102), include:

* Providing direct nursing care to patients, including monitoring, medication administration, and supportive care.

* Assisting doctors in treatment procedures, surgeries, and clinical interventions.

* Offering maternal and neonatal support services.

* Providing health education and counseling.

It must be emphasized that by training and regulation, Nurses are not empowered to independently diagnose and treat patients without the involvement of a physician. Their role is fundamentally supportive to doctors and complementary to the broader health team.

Clarification on Headship of PHC Facilities

The Scheme of Service (2013 Revised Edition) expressly recognizes Community Health Practitioners as the cadre qualified to head Primary Health Care facilities. This is because their professional mandate covers prevention, promotion, curative care, rehabilitation, community mobilization, and facility management.

This designation reflects the historical context of Nigeria’s health system: following the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978, when Doctors and Nurses largely declined rural postings, Community Health Practitioners were established to ensure accessible, affordable, and sustainable health care for rural populations. Without them, the Nigerian PHC system would have collapsed.

Importance of Interprofessional Collaboration

The Nigerian health system can only thrive on mutual respect, ethical practice, and interprofessional collaboration. All health cadres — including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and community health practitioners — are expected to work in synergy, respecting each cadre’s legal scope of practice.

Unfortunately, superiority claims by some professionals, particularly Nurses against CHPs, are unprofessional and contravene the ethics of medical and health practice, which emphasize teamwork over rivalry.

Community Health Practitioners are not “second-choice” professionals. They stand alone as owners of Primary Health Care in Nigeria, with a distinct and legally recognized practice that is central to achieving universal health coverage.

Conclusion

This clarification serves as an authoritative reminder:

1. Community Health Practitioners, by law and by Scheme of Service (2013 Revised Edition), are the rightful heads of Primary Health Care facilities.

2. Nurses remain essential professionals but are not empowered to lead PHC facilities or independently diagnose and treat patients.

3. The health sector can only advance when all professionals demonstrate interprofessional respect, collaboration, and ethical conduct.

We therefore urges all health workers, particularly Nurses, to uphold the principles of cooperation and professionalism for the ultimate benefit of the Nigerian people.

Signed:
N.A Alowonle
RCHP Advocate

References:

Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2013). Scheme of Service (Revised Edition). Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Federal Ministry of Health. (2012). Standing Orders for Community Health Practitioners in Nigeria. Abuja: Government of Nigeria.

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