BONU threatens to sue gov’t

BONU recently wrote to the Health Ministry highlighting that the current practice of nurses and midwives dispensing medicines is both unlawful and in violation of the code of ethics for practising nurses and midwives. BONU indicated that their decision to cease this practice was made to ensure compliance with the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 2013 and the Nurses and Midwives Act of 1995.

BONU then held talks with the MoH, an exercise which bore no fruit. The union was then forced to cease dispensing prescriptions and further called on nurses, midwives, and members of the public to report any nurse or midwife found dispensing medication and other related substances. In a press release this week the MoH indicated that legal processes have been set in motion to authorise nurses and midwives to dispense medications without any doubt on the legal standing of their actions. The ministry also assured all its nurses and midwives, that all duties that they perform at work and having been so authorised, are legitimate and in order.