Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

In correspondence sent to the Research Directorate, a representative of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria stated that, in Nigeria, the various health professionals, such as laboratory technicians, nurses and doctors, practice their profession under the authority of distinct regulating organizations (Nigeria 14 Dec. 2011). Sources consulted by the Research Directorate state that each group of professionals has their own national registry with information on its members who were or who currently are working (NMCN 21 Dec. 2011; doctor of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital 22 Dec. 2011).

Two sources pointed out that the national registry of nurses is managed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) (NMCN 21 Dec. 2011; NANNM 23 Dec. 2011). The NMCN is the organization that regulates the nursing profession in Nigeria (NMCN n.d.a). The NMCN Internet site states that a nurse may not practice their profession if they are not registered with the NMCN (NMCN n.d.b). During a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 8 May 2012, a representative of the NMCN in Bauchi explained that the nursing registry has information such as the name, gender and address of the members, as well as their professional qualifications.

Furthermore, during a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 21 December 2011, an NMCN management assistant in Port Harcourt explained that this registry is updated each time a change of address is made or when a member renews their licence to practice. According to an NMCN representative in Bauchi, in principle, the member sends the information about their address change to one of the NMCN offices (NMCN 8 May 2012). The representative added that the address of former members is not updated if these people do not renew their licence (ibid.).

According to the NMCN management assistant in Port Harcourt, the head of the registration division and its representatives in the regional offices have access to the registry data (NMCN 21 Dec. 2011). The NMCN representative in Bauchi explained that, in order to keep the data in the registry secure, the authorized personnel require a personal password to access it (8 May 2012).

With respect to the national registry of doctors and dentists, two sources stated that the registry is managed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) (MDCN 14 May 2012; doctor from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital 21 Dec. 2011). The MDCN is the organization responsible for regulating the medical and dental practices in Nigeria (MDCN n.d.a). The MDCN Internet site states that a person cannot practice the medical or dental profession in Nigeria if they are not a member of the MDCN (MDCN n.d.b).

During a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 14 May 2012, an MDCN administrative officer explained that, included in the information in the registry managed by the MDCN, and which is accessible to the public, is the file number of the member, their family and given name, the school where they received their diploma, their professional qualifications and their gender. In addition, the MDCN Internet site also gives access to the MDCN registry, where the information listed above is indicated, as well as the former members’ names (MDCN 12 July 2010). The MDCN administrative officer added that the address of the members was included in the information that is not accessible to the public, for security reasons (MDCN 14 May 2012). According to the MDCN administrative officer, although part of the registry data is accessible to the public, changing the data within it is reserved for the head of the registration division or for members of authorized personnel (ibid.). In addition, during a telephone interview with the Research Directorate on 22 December 2011, a doctor from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, located in the city of Lafia in the state of Nassarawa, stated that it is usually the head of the registration division who has access to all of the registry data.

The registry is updated when a member makes an address change (MDCN 14 May 2012). The MDCN administrative officer stated that it is a member’s responsibility to inform the MDCN representatives of the change of address or of any other new information that needs to be updated in their file (MDCN 14 May 2012). According to this officer, former members may have their address updated if they want to return to practice and renew their licence (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Doctor of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital. 22 December2011. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). 14 May 2012. Telephone interview with an administrative officer.

_____. 12 July 2010. “MDCN Master Register.” [Accessed 22 June 2012]

_____. N.d.a. “Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria Mandate.” [Accessed 6 May 2011]

_____. N.d.b. “Registration Resources.” [Accessed 14 May 2012]

National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). 23 December2011. Telephone interview with the secretary general.

Nigeria. 14 December 2011. Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. Correspondence sent by a representative.

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). 8 May 2012. Telephone interview with a representative in Bauchi.

_____. 21 December 2011. Telephone interview with a management assistant.

_____. N.d.a. “Welcome.” [Accessed 16 May 2012]

_____. N.d.b. “Licensing.” [Accessed 14 May 2012]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact representatives of the following organizations in Nigeria were unsuccessful: Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Federal Medical Centre Gombe, Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research, Nigerian Journal of Medicine, The Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK, United Nations — World Health Organization, West African College of Physicians.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, Bioline, Federal Medical Centre Gombe, Joint Migration and Development Initiative, MedlineNigeria.com, National Institute for Medical Research, Nigerian Journal of Medicine, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK, The Nigerian Voice, Public Health Foundation of Nigeria, United Nations — World Health Organization, West African College of Physicians.