The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in a release dated June 9, 2020 says it has received a notification from the National Security Council Secretariat concerning a fake potentially dangerous vaccine which claims to prevent COVID-19 infection.

According to the release the vaccine which is contained in a small sealed vial bearing the logo of the manufacturer and a set of counterfeit instructions in the Hebrew language was manufactured by the Galilee Research Institute (MIGAL) in Israel and is being sold currently in several South American countries including Ecuador.

Chief Executive Officer of the FDA Mrs Delese A.A. Darko, stated that the World Health Organisation as well as the Israeli and South American Authorities are aware of the situation and investigations are ongoing by MIGAL to determine the source of the vaccine.

The FDA confirmed that its officers in all the regions are working to ensure that these products do not get into the country’s supply chain and warned that all medicines are to be imported through Tema Habour and Kotoka International Airport after registration.

The release said that the general public should contact the Head of Communication and Public Education of the FDA on 0244337235 for any clarification or suggestion.

NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL KICKS OFF YEAR-LONG 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Touching on the achievements of the Council, Mr. Felix Nyante said that throughout its 50-year history, the Council has been a ground-breaker. Some of its accomplishments include the digitization of licensing examinations (Online Exams), PIN/AIN printing, Results checking, Indexing, Registration, Online CPD and Records for Nurses and Midwives.

Opening the Webinar, Rev. Veronica Darko, Chairperson of the 14th Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council said it was a great privilege and responsibility for the Council to regulate such an important and trusted profession.

“We want to use our anniversary to reflect on all that has been achieved since 1971 and show how nurses and midwives have made and continue to make a difference for people using standards, protection and service. If we are to play our part in making sure safe, high quality and consistent standards of care are being delivered, we need to continue to improve” she said

Topics presented for the two days were; embracing 21st Century Technology for the 21st Century Nurse or Midwife, Nothing about the Patient without the Patient, Exploring Mutual benefits between Nurses and Midwives in the Diaspora and Ghana, Nurses and Midwives, the Drivers of Universal Health Coverage.

The speakers were Diana Mukami, Digital Learning Director and Head of Programmes Amref, Kenya, Elizabeth Oywer, Nursing Education and Practice Consultant, Kenya, Gifty Y. Lano, Founding President and Chairperson of Board of Trustees, NAGNF, USA and Dr. Emmanuel Ankrah Odame Director, Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, MOH, Ghana.

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The Council conducts licensing examinations for qualification as Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives.
Applications from candidates who wish to sit for the licensing examinations are received by the Examination Unit which coordinates the preparation of test items, obtain examination centers, identify invigilators and examiners, assess examination scripts and publish results.

Licensing examinations for the various programmes are held in February/March, June/July, August and November/December every year.
Candidates who pass the licensing examination are issued Professional Identification Number (PIN) and a certificate of registration. Those who pursue Auxiliary programmes are issued with Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN) and a certificate of registration.
N&MC administers licensing examinations to the following cadres of nursing and midwifery personnel;

    Registered General Nurses i.e. those who have undergone a three –year (Diploma) or four year (Degree) course in nursing in accredited institutions.
    Registered Midwives i.e. those who have completed a three -year course on midwifery in accredited institutions.
    Registered Community Nurse i.e. those who have completed a three-year (Diploma) course in Community Health Nursing in accredited institutions.
    Registered Mental Nurse i.e. those who have completed a three-year course in Mental Health Nursing in accredited institutions.
    Midwifery (Post NAC/NAP Midwifery) i.e. those who have completed a one-year Post NAC/NAP course in midwifery in accredited institutions.
    Public Health Nursing i.e. those who have completed a one-year Post Basic course in Public Health Nursing in accredited institutions.
    Ophthalmic Nursing i.e. those who have completed a one-year Post Basic course in Ophthalmic nursing in accredited institutions.
    Peri –Operative /Critical Care Nursing i.e. those who have completed a one-year Post –Basic course in Peri-Operative/Critical Nursing in accredited institutions.
    Ear, Norse and Throat Nursing i.e. those who have completed a one-year Post –Basic course in Ear, Nose and Throat Nursing in accredited institutions.
    Nurse Assistant (Preventive) i.e. those who have completed a two-year course in Nurse Assistant (Preventive) in accredited institutions.
    Nurse Assistant (Clinical) i.e. those who have completed a two-year course in Nurse Assistant (Clinical) in accredited institutions.

Who are eligible candidates?
Candidates to be admitted to the licensing examinations are those that have:

    Successfully completed the required theoretical instructions and clinical experiences as stipulated in the rules and regulations for each training programme.
    Passed the examination conducted by the college.
    Attained satisfactory performance in clinical nursing.
    Paid the stipulated examination fee for the particular examination.

What happens when one fails the licensing examination?
Candidates who fail Council’s examinations are allowed to re-write until they pass. This means that there is no limit on the number of re-sits.

Visit the Online Examination section under the  FAQs Menu to find more information on Online Examination and Online Simulation exercises.

A PIN or AIN once issued, expires in twelve (12) calendar months. Any Nurse Assistant, Nurse or Midwife whose PIN or AIN expires is required to apply through the Council’s Regional Offices.
The PIN or AIN will be renewed upon submission of the following prescribed requirements:

The applicant must have accumulated the required Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points with; Two (2) Current Passport Pictures in Prescribed Uniform over a Red background for Nurse Assistants (Auxiliaries) and Two (2)

Current Passport-size Pictures in Prescribed Uniform over a White background for Nurse.

The required minimum CPD points for PIN/AIN renewal are as follows

Category Required CPD Points

Nurse Assistants: Ten (10) Points

CHN, EN, NAC & NAP

Staff Nurses/Staff Midwives up to Fifteen (15) Points

Nursing / Midwifery Officers

Senior Nursing/Midwifery Officer/ Twenty (20) Points

Health Tutor/Assistant Lecturers and above

Relevance of PIN or AIN

The PIN confirms ones professional status,
No employer will employ any Nurse Assistant, Nurse or Midwife without a PIN or AIN,
It could be used for employment in the private sector even while on retirement.
It is an offence to practice as a Nurse Assistant, Nurse or Midwife without a valid PIN or AIN. This attracts a penalty and or imprisonment as enshrined under Section 73 (d) of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act, 2013 (Act 857).

The Registration Directorate registers Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives who have completed their nursing and midwifery education in accredited institutions and were successful in the Licensing examination.
Registration with N&MC assures the public, employers and colleagues that a nurse or midwife:
Has the qualifications needed to practice
Has not had his or her name removed from the Register for misconduct
Is working in a regulated profession
Registered Nurses and Midwives practice independently and in collaboration with other health professionals, perform general nursing and midwifery functions, and supervise Nurse Assistants and others.
Registered nurses and midwives use knowledge and judgment to:
assess health needs
provide care
Advise and support people to manage their health.
Nurse Assistants are healthcare providers who have undergone two- year training in Health Assistant Clinical or Community Health Nursing programmes. They provide healthcare to patients or clients under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Midwife.

PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION

Upon passing the Council’s licensing examination, a Nurse Assistant, Nurse or Midwife is required to go through the following procedure to be registered to practice legally in the country:

The Council issues Professional Identification Numbers (PIN) to Nurses and Midwives upon completion of the Registration process.  Nurse Assistants are also issued with Auxiliary Identification Number (AIN) after registration.

Registration of Foreign-Trained Nurses and Midwives (Permanent):


Foreign-trained Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives who wish to practise in the country would be required to pass a Licensing Examination and satisfy other requirements before they are registered.
 


Requirements:
1. Transcript of training
2. Three (3) passport-sized photographs
3. A copy of Birth Certificate
4. Photocopies of Professional Certificates (original copy to be presented for inspection)
5. Marriage certificate where applicable
6. Two (2) testimonials from previous/current employers where you have practiced for at least one year
7. Copy of last appointment letter
8. Verification of registration from the original Council/Board.
9. Copy of certificate of proficiency in English from approved school of languages.
Upon fulfilling all eligibility requirements, applicants are required to sit for a written examination. The fee for the examination is …..? The amount is subject to review from time to time. The examination is organized twice a year that is, June and December.
 
 
 
After the written examination successful candidates will:
1. Complete Registration Forms and pay a fee of $ 125 or its Ghana cedi equivalent to the Council.
2. Undergo a three- month practical orientation programme in a Teaching, Regional or any hospital accredited by the Council.
3. Be registered to practice based on satisfactory performance during the practical orientation programme.
A provisional license for newly qualified foreign trained Nurses and Midwives would attract a fee of $ 125 or its Ghana cedi equivalent.
 

NB:
Documents which are in Languages other than English should be translated into English with a copy of the document in the original language attached to it.

INDEXING

Indexing of Student Nurse Assistants, Nurses and Midwives involves the recording of students’ personal data into a database to ensure that each student’s qualification for admission into the various programmes is based on the approved entry requirement as prescribed by the Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The process of indexing begins upon receipt of Indexing Forms from various Nursing and Midwifery Training Institutions.

Upon completion of the indexing process, students who satisfy all entry requirements are issued unique index numbers which would be used for the Council’s licensing examination.

Requirements for Indexing

• Duly completed Indexing form

• Prescribed Fee

For the most current approved Indexing Fees and penalty for late indexing:

For a step by step guide on the online indexing:

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana’s attention has been drawn to a fraudulent Facebook page using its official logo and operating with the name Nurses and Midwifery Council in an attempt to fraudulently secure unlawful gain on behalf of the Council.

Several correspondences targeting innocent citizens are being circulated falsely requesting nursing and midwifery trainees and practitioners to call some unidentified telephone numbers to transact business on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana.

The Registrar and Management of the Council wish to state categorically that the Facebook page operating with its logo and the name Nurses and Midwifery Council is not the official Facebook page of the NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF GHANA.

The Council would therefore like to caution the general public especially nursing and midwifery trainees and practitioners that any information displayed on the Nurses and Midwifery Council Facebook page is not from the NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL OF Ghana, hence any person who transacts business with the managers of the page do so at their own risk.

Members of the public are to note that all announcements and information emanating from the Nursing and Midwifery Council will be published on its website, Facebook page and other official social media handles. 

The public is therefore advised to visit the Council’s official website (www.nmc.gov.gh) or contact the following numbers and social media handles for further information about the Council.

0302-522909/10

0302-541423

0501079037 (Call Centre) 

0200862772(WhatsApp)

Twitter (NMCGH_Official)

Instagram (nmcgh_official)

Skype(nmcghana2016)

Email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is also calling for the support of the general public to arrest these fraudsters to help curb the menace of fraud.

Registrar