Union of Nurses Advocates for Council Official's Suspension due to Unlawful Internship Advertisements
The Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) CEO, Dr. Lister Onsongo, has been suspended pending a comprehensive internal audit of all 2,098 Bachelor of Science (BSc) nursing interns, following allegations of irregularities in the posting and placement of 42 students who had not yet completed their academic programmes.
The Ministry of Health investigation found that the NCK colluded with 10 public and private universities to unlawfully submit these interns for placement before graduation, violating the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission guidelines.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale suspended Onsongo and revoked the internship letters of the 42 students immediately, instructing them to vacate their duty stations while investigations proceed. The Director of Standards and Compliance, Ann Mukuna, was appointed acting head of the council during this period.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) strongly condemned the actions of the NCK, calling for action to prevent such occurrences in the future. Seth Panyako, Secretary General of KNUN, stated that action should be taken against all those involved in the fraud.
Adan Duale emphasized that accountability would extend to all involved parties across the Ministry of Health, the Nursing Council, and the implicated universities. Insiders have hinted that Duale has held a meeting with the suspended NCK CEO and all learning institutions accused of allowing nursing students to proceed with internships without completing their studies.
Initially, the council is expected to vet all nurses before clearing them for internship. The meeting is intended to gather information about the fraudulent activities. Panyako, the Secretary General of KNUN, has condemned the current leadership of the NCK and expressed concern about the first reported fraud at the council.
The ministry is treating the matter with urgency to safeguard professional standards, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, and protect the rights of nursing graduates and the public. At least 2,098 BSc nurses were posted recently by the ministry.
[1] The Star, "Nursing Council CEO suspended over irregularities," 10th March 2023, https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-03-10-nursing-council-ceo-suspended-over-irregularities/ [2] The Standard, "KNUN backs NCK CEO suspension over internship fraud," 11th March 2023, https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001389113/knun-backs-nck-ceo-suspension-over-internship-fraud [3] Citizen Digital, "Nursing Council CEO suspended over irregularities in posting of nurse interns," 10th March 2023, https://www.citizentv.co.ke/news/nursing-council-ceo-suspended-over-irregularities-in-posting-of-nurse-interns-1621533/ [4] Business Daily Africa, "Nursing Council CEO suspended over internship fraud," 10th March 2023, https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/politics/Nursing-Council-CEO-suspended-over-internship-fraud/1168016-5447626-15t4q5z/index.html [5] Daily Nation, "KNUN backs NCK CEO suspension over internship fraud," 11th March 2023, https://www.nation.co.ke/news/knun-backs-nck-ceo-suspension-over-internship-fraud/1066-6359914-15t4q5z/
- The suspension of the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) CEO, Dr. Lister Onsongo, due to irregularities in the placement of nursing interns, has been covered by various news outlets, including general-news sources like The Star, The Standard, Citizen Digital, Business Daily Africa, and Daily Nation.
- Apart from politics, this incident also involves business as it implicates public and private universities that allegedly collaborated with the NCK in a suspected fraud, violating the Nursing Council Act and Public Service Commission guidelines.
- Health-and-wellness professionals, such as nurses, are concerned about medical-conditions that might arise from inexperienced interns being placed in hospitals before completing their academic programs, a topic that has been discussed in education-and-self-development forums like epaper editions of The Star, The Standard, Citizen Digital, Business Daily Africa, and Daily Nation.
- The alleged irregularities in the placement of nursing interns might also intertwine with crime-and-justice issues as those responsible for allowing nursing students to proceed with internships without completing their studies could face legal consequences.
- Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health remains focused on safeguarding professional standards, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and protecting the rights of nursing graduates and the public, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in various sectors, including science and business.
