Nullification of Nursing exams will preserve integrity, patient safety – Dr Chilufya
By Staff Reporter
Health minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya says the nullification of the November 20th General Nursing Council examination due to malpractice and leakage was in order to preserve patient safety, aspire for quality health service delivery and maintain integrity in the health profession.
Dr Chilufya told Parliament the General Nursing Council of Zambia exercised responsibility and invoke constitutional provisions under the Nurses and Midwives Act 31 of 1997 to nullify the examinations.
He explained that the Council had legal mandate to promote patient safety, protect members of the general public from unsafe nursing practices and to uphold the quality, integrity and professionalism among all members and those that aspire to be members.
Dr Chilufya said 1,797 eligible students in 30 colleges of nursing and midwifery; both private and public have been affected by the nullification of the theory exams.
He however, said that all practical examinations for eligible students in the 30 colleges countrywide are proceeding as originally scheduled as they are not affected by the leakage.
Dr Chilufya added that the nullified exams have been replaced by a complete new set of examinations scheduled between December 11-18, 2017.
Asked by Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili how it was discovered that the exam had been leaked, Dr Chilufya said a whistleblower alerted one of the staff at the General Nursing Council about a soft copy of the examination which was circulating on WhatsApp.
