DODOMA: MINISTER for Health, Ms Jenista Mhagama, has urged the newly inaugurated Tanzania Nurses and Midwives Council (TNMC) to take firm action against nurses and midwives who violate the laws and ethical principles of their professions.
Ms Mhagama made this call during the launch of the 63rd TNMC in Dodoma. She urged the new TNMC members to ensure proper oversight of the nursing and midwifery professions to guarantee that the public receives high-quality and safe healthcare services.
She emphasised the importance of the council in upholding its responsibilities, ensuring professionalism and maintaining control over individuals who may seek to violate the rules and regulations of the healthcare sector.
“The council must take decisive action concerning nurses and midwives who breach their professional ethics,” said Ms Mhagama.
“Your council has many responsibilities. Among them is ensuring that the staff you oversee perform their duties with the utmost professionalism to deliver effective and efficient services,” she added.
Ms Mhagama also directed the council to establish a comprehensive database to track nurses and midwives across the country.
This system would help simplify monitoring their professional conduct and ensure that services are accessible to the public.
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“I direct the council to develop a robust system to store data on nurses and midwives, including their current locations and professional conduct. Identify unemployed nurses and midwives to create opportunities for self-employment among these professionals,” she said.
Earlier, the Director of the Nursing and Midwifery Department at the Ministry of Health, Ms Ziada Sella tasked the council to focus on promoting respectful communication with the public and ensuring the registration and training of nurses and midwives.
“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the council, continues to promote respectful communication and proper language use by professionals when interacting with the public. This is crucial, as it marks the beginning of the treatment process,” Ms Sella said.
On her part, the Chairperson of the TNMC, Prof Lilian Mselle, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for appointing the council members.
She also pledged to implement all the directives issued by Minister Mhagama.
“Behind all these achievements are our leaders, such as Permanent Secretary Dr John Jingu and the Chief Medical Officer, who have been at the forefront, offering support and solutions to every challenge we face,” Prof Mselle said.
Ms Mhagama officially inaugurated the council, which consists of 12 members, following the conclusion of the previous council’s term.
The appointment of these members is in line with Section 5(1) of the Nursing and Midwifery Act of 2010, which grants the Minister for Health the authority to appoint council members. The appointed members will serve a term of up to three years from the date of their appointment.
The council will be led by Professor Lilian Mselle, a senior nurse and lecturer at the Muhimbili University School of Nursing. The launch of the council was marked by the theme: “Nurses and Midwives Are Essential for Critical Work.”
