The Lagos State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) released a statement on Saturday clarifying that the individual reportedly arrested for administering an injection to the late singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, was not a registered nurse. The statement, signed by the State Secretary Toba Odumosu, emphasized the importance of verifying the qualifications and professional status of individuals before identifying them as healthcare professionals.
Mohbad, aged 27, passed away on September 12, 2023. On September 14, his father, Joseph Aloba, disclosed that the singer had received an injection from an auxiliary nurse, raising concerns about the circumstances of his death.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that an autopsy had been conducted on Mohbad’s body, and his remains were deposited at the mortuary.
In its statement, the Lagos State Council of NANNM expressed condolences to Mohbad’s family and called for professionalism in reporting and conducting the ongoing investigation into his death. The council highlighted the need to ensure that healthcare providers are appropriately qualified and licensed.
The statement also pointed out the regulatory challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system, leading to unqualified individuals performing medical roles beyond their training. It stressed that in Nigeria, a registered nurse must complete a rigorous five-year Bachelor of Nursing Science program at a university or undergo training at an accredited School/College of Nursing, followed by registration and licensing by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The council insisted that the term “Auxiliary Nurse” has no place within Nigeria’s healthcare system or its laws and called for accurate reporting by the media during the investigation. It demanded that media outlets rectify any inaccurate reporting regarding the arrest of a nurse.
In summary, the Lagos State Council of NANNM extended condolences to Mohbad’s family, supported the ongoing investigation into his death, emphasized the need for professionalism in healthcare reporting, and called for the accurate verification of healthcare providers’ qualifications and licenses. It also highlighted the challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system regarding unqualified individuals performing medical duties.