The Nursing Image & Standards Support Initiatives of Nigeria (NISSIN), Ondo State Chapter, has expressed disappointment over the controversial remarks made by Mr. Aliu Abdulrafiu, the Provost of Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, in a viral video.
In the video, Mr. Abdulrafiu, who was mistakenly referred to as ‘Dr. Aliyu Alabi,’ suggested that graduates from his institution, who are neither qualified doctors nor nurses, could take on the roles of professional healthcare providers in Nigerian hospitals.
He even claimed that “people are already calling his products doctors,” a statement that has raised alarms within the healthcare community.
Reacting, NISSIN, a national anti-quackery movement, condemned Abdulrafiu’s comments as reckless and irresponsible.
The organisation highlighted the potential dangers of allowing unqualified individuals to take over roles meant for trained and certified professionals, emphasising the risk this poses to the health and safety of Nigerians.
Prince Lucky Okikiola Aremu, the State Chairman/Coordinator of NISSIN, Ondo State Chapter, expressed deep concern over the provost’s remarks, questioning whether Abdulrafiu would trust the lives of his own family members to these so-called “products” of his institution instead of qualified doctors and nurses.
Aremu described the comments as a disgrace, especially coming from someone who leads a health-related educational institution.
The Convener and National Coordinator of NISSIN, Nr. Ogunniyi O. Abiola (Esq.), also criticised Abdulrafiu’s statements, calling them sarcastic, careless, and insensitive to the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Ogunniyi stressed that the comments are particularly troubling at a time when the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) are grappling with issues of attrition among healthcare professionals.
Ogunniyi further blamed the complacency of healthcare professional associations and the lackadaisical approach of government regulatory bodies for allowing such quackery practices to proliferate.
The NISSIN leaders also lamented the dire conditions faced by healthcare professionals in Nigeria, including poor remuneration, inadequate employment opportunities, and harsh working environments.
They noted that many qualified doctors and nurses are forced to leave the country due to these challenges, a situation that Mr. Abdulrafiu appears to trivialize.
NISSIN has called on relevant authorities to hold Abdulrafiu accountable for his statements, warning that such remarks undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s healthcare system and pose a significant threat to public welfare.
The organization has urged that immediate steps be taken to curb the spread of quackery and to ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed to practice in the country’s healthcare facilities.
The health of Nigerians and the welfare of healthcare professionals should never be compromised, NISSIN stated, urging Abdulrafiu to reconsider his stance and support efforts to improve the healthcare system rather than undermining it by promoting quackery.
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