The National Council of Nurses and Midwives has committed to partnering with national and international health professionals and experts in a bid to enhance professionalism among practitioners.

The commitment was made on Monday during the election of leaders of the National Council of Nurses and Midwives. 

The election, held at the Ministry of Health in Kicukiro, was presided over by Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, the state minister for public health and primary health care.

Marie Murebwayire was elected the chairperson of the board of directors for the National Council of Nurses and Midwives, while Josephine Murekezi was elected vice chairperson.

Before the election, candidates promised to address various issues facing the profession, including suspected cases of forged certificates and unprofessional conduct of some practitioners.

Ndimubanzi described nursing and midwives profession as a key pillar in society’s advancement, adding that hard work and partnerships are critical elements in saving lives.

He called on all health personnel to help one another to improve treatment levels.

Murebwayire said more efforts are needed to weed out forgeries in nursing and midwives profession. "Our profession is tainted by some unprofessional medics but some measures have been taken to address the challenge. We are now working closely with the health professionals and experts from the region and the Commonwealth bloc and are learning from them”.

"We are also conducting licensing exams, and we believe that, together, we shall take this profession to the next level in terms of standards,” she said.

Murekezi said that regular trainings for medics are needed to help upgrade their skills.

He recognised the positive steps made in the recent past compared to previously when health incidents were common largely due to inexperienced and unskilled midwives.

The newly elected members of the board have a three-year term.

They are charged with spearheading efforts to protect and promote the nursing and midwives profession, as well as foster strategic relations with regional and international peers.

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