Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, on Friday in Abuja, called for more recognition of the nursing profession, saying the practitioners are relegated to the background.

The governor made the call at the presentation of a book titled: “Challenges and Triumph of the Nursing Profession in Nigeria” written by Kola Oyedepo.

According to Mr Mutfwang, the centrality of the nursing profession to the health sector cannot be overemphasised and the contribution of the profession is enormous.

He, therefore, called on policymakers, trainers and stakeholders to make sure that they promote the profession to fulfil its mandate.

“Nurses are very central in the healthcare delivery system, midwives are very central to the issue of birth. We must make sure that the professionalism in the sector is enhanced in every way that is possible.

“I want to congratulate the author of this book for giving the nurses further tools to work. As governors, we are going to ensure that the health sector is looked at comprehensively.

“This is to make sure that the nursing profession within the health sector is given its pride of place, we are going to make policy pronouncements. We are going to invest in training to enhance the profession in our state,” he said.

The registrar/chief executive officer, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Faruk Abubakar, noted that nurses play a pivotal role in healthcare delivery.

Represented by Emmanuel Udontre, director, planning research and statistics, NMCN, Mr Abubakar said that nurses have the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities, sick or well and in all settings.

According to him, advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, participation in shaping health policy and patients, health system management and education are key roles of nurses.

He called on government at all levels to begin to show more care to the nurses for the big role they perform in the healthcare system.

Also speaking, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of of Health (FMoH), Daju Kachallom, also stated that the nursing and midwifery profession occupies a unique and vital place within the healthcare system.

Represented by Francisca Okafor, director of nursing, FMoH, Ms Kachallom said that nurses and midwives are compassionate, skilled and tireless professionals.

She said they are often the first and last point of care for patients, stressing that they must be treated with dignity.

Ms Kachallom stated that they provide comfort in times of distress, guidance during moments of uncertainty and skilful assistance during the most critical phases of life.

She thanked the author of the book for dishing out such enormous knowledge in the medical profession.

(NAN)