The Nursing Council of Kenya has the unique role of assuring the public through the issuance of licenses, that nurses and midwives are competent. The purpose of the Council, as defined by law, is to protect the public. The Council, when developing the curricula with various other stakeholders, ensures that health and social needs of the targeted communities guide nursing and midwifery education and research. Through Online Continuous Professional Development programs, the Council’s efforts have contributed to improved health indicators by trained nurses and midwives after improving and broadening their knowledge, expertise and competences and developing the personal and professional qualities required. With the Council and its leadership being named champions of Governance, the recognitions have renewed public confidence in the institution as Corporate Watch Magazine’s Ker Mogallo writes.
The Nursing Council of Kenya has won the prestigious Statutory Bodies Sector Award at the 12th edition of the Champions of Governance Awards held in December 2023. NCK won the Statutory Bodies Sector Award, acknowledging its exemplary governance practices.
Inaugurated in the year 2010 by the Institute of Certified Secretaries, the Champions of Governance Award is a prestigious award for excellence in governance presented to organizations and individuals that exhibit the highest standards of practice of good governance, in line with their vision and mission.
The Award aims at promoting practices in good governance by recognition of practice and application of good governance in both the public and private sector entities, recognition of innovations in organizations that support good governance, encouraging organizations to focus on enhancement of good governance as well as promoting and recognizing research work in relation to good governance practices.
CEO of The Year Award…
At the same time, Nursing Council of Kenya CEO and Registrar Dr. Edna Tallam-Kimaiyo was recognised as Chief Executive Officer of the Year – a testament to her exceptional leadership and outstanding achievements in governance practices.
The NCK Registrar and CEO Dr. Edna Tallam – Kimaiyo was honored as the CEO of the Year in the Statutory Bodies Sector for her outstanding leadership.
Dr. Edna has over the years been recognized for transforming Kenya’s health systems by regulating nursing education and practice and as a certified Global Nurse Consultant. She has overseen the management and administration of the Council’s functions, legislative compliance, leadership, training, registration, licensure and standards of Nursing and Midwifery practice under statutory requirements.
Dr. Edna is a global health champion and a national leader in transforming Kenya’s health systems, through regulation of nursing and midwifery education and practice. She has held a number of senior management positions in the nursing profession over the past 13 years. She is a nurse with corporate leadership and governance credentials; and hands on experience in developing national health policies.
Dr. Edna is currently the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing Council of Kenya; the statutory body mandated to regulate the Nursing and Midwifery education and practice in Kenya. She oversees the management and administration of the Council’s functions and activities, legislative compliance, providing leadership and strategic direction to ensure that quality standards of nursing & midwifery practice in Kenya are upheld.
She holds a PHD in Nursing Science from Stellenbosch University, Master’s degree in Public Health from Kenyatta University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) in Nursing from University of East Africa Baraton and a Fellow with Global Health leadership program, University of Washington.
Her rich and vast experience has inspired her to develop advanced research skills to help lead Nurses and Midwives towards building health systems research capacity for promoting progressive health care policies.
Her interests are anchored in Strategic Leadership, Maternal Health, Monitoring and Evaluation, Quality/Performance Improvement and Policy Development & Implementation.
Dr. Edna’s rich and vast experience has inspired her to lead nurses and midwives towards building health systems and enhancing their leadership capacity for promoting progressive health care policies and implementation. She is a team leader in developing the scope of practice for Advanced Nurse Practitioner (APN) and Advanced Midwife Practitioner (APM) in Kenya, and the development of national policy for nurses and midwives in Kenya.
Dr. Edna is also an executive member of the National Nurses Association of Kenya, the East, Central, Southern Africa College of Nursing (ECSACON) Association and Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) – Africa, and a member of the East Africa Sectoral Council – Regulations of Health professional committee. She has also been part of the Ministry of Health delegation to the World Health Assembly.
The Statutory bodies’ category where NCK triumphed consists of organisations or institutions that have been set up by an act of parliament. Their existence and powers are regulated by law and often have a public function, such as regulating certain industries.
The Council…
The Nursing Council Of Kenya (NCK) is charged with the responsibility of regulating nursing and midwifery in Kenya which entails: Registration and licensing of nurses and midwives trained within and outside Kenya for their eligibility to practice as competent nurses and midwives; Regulation of CPD activities for nurses and midwives; Coordination of internship for graduate nurses (BScN) and midwives (BScM); and development, review and dissemination of policy documents. The Nursing Council of Kenya is thus a key pillar in the realization of a safe and healthier world as enshrined in its vision and a deserving winner in the Champions of Governance Statutory Bodies category award.
Over the years, NCK has established and improved standards of all branches of the nursing profession in all their aspects and safeguarded the interests of all nurses. Further, it establishes and improves the standards of professional nursing and of health care within the community.
With the approval of the Cabinet secretary, NCK makes provisions for the training and instruction for persons seeking registration or enrolment, prescribes and regulates syllabuses of instruction and courses of training for persons seeking registration or enrolment, prescribes and conducts examinations for persons seeking registration or enrolment. The institution also prescribes badges, insignia or uniforms to be worn by persons registered,
In its regulatory role, NCK also directs and supervises the compilation and maintenance of registers, rolls and records required to be kept, and advises the Cabinet secretary on matters concerning all aspects of nursing.
NCK recommends to the Cabinet Secretary institutions to be approved for training of persons seeking registration or enrolment and has regard to the conduct of persons registered, enrolled or licensed and to take such disciplinary measures as may be necessary to maintain a proper standard of conduct among registered persons.
Lastly, the institution also has regard to the standards of nursing care, qualified staff, nursing commodities, facilities, conditions and environment of health institutions, and to take such disciplinary or appropriate measures as may be necessary to maintain a proper standard of nursing care in health institutions
Banking on the Council’s vision of a “A safe and healthier world” and mission to Regulate and Enforce Standards in Nursing and Midwifery education and core values, beliefs and principles that articulate the culture of the organization.
The core values are named INSPIRED: Integrity, Nurture, Socially responsible, professionalism, Innovation, Responsiveness, Excellence, Devotion.
The council prides itself in ensuring quality nursing and midwifery optimal health.
“We ensure we effectively effect this through our core values. These are the DNA of the Council that everything we do comes from deeply-held commitments and shared understanding of our values. What we stand for, how we treat each other and those we serve inform every policy and steer every action summarized as; INSPIRE – Integrity, Nurture, Social Responsibility, Professionalism, Innovation, Responsiveness, and Excellence,” noted Dr. Tallam-Kimaiyo.
The Council provides a frame of reference for the nursing and midwifery education programs in the country in preparing safe and competent practitioners who will function effectively not only as members but as leaders in health care delivery system. The council also assesses the extent to which educational programs meet accreditation requirement as laid down by the regulatory authorities NCK, Commission of Higher Education and senate of universities.
The Council also ensures nursing and midwifery education programs are appropriate and adequate in preparing nurses to join the profession and foster continuing improvements in nursing and midwifery education hence professional practice.
The Council has a Standards and Ethics department that conducts spot checks and inspection of training institutions and health facilities to ensure that they comply with the set standards of nursing and midwifery education and practise for the provision of high quality services in the nursing sector.
The NCK registrar further notes that within their strategic plan, the Council has put in strategies and is working on partnerships to strengthen nursing and midwifery components that will impact the sector positively as envisioned in the Council’s mission and vision.
“Nursing and midwifery is regulated because it is one of the health professions that pose a risk of harm to the public if practiced by someone who is unprepared and/or incompetent. The general public may not have sufficient information and experience to identify unqualified health care provider, and is vulnerable to unsafe and incompetent practitioners. A license issued by the Council provides assurance to the public that the nurse has met predetermined standards,’ noted the institution’s CEO.
Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and ISO 9001:2015
Early this year, the Council achieved a great mile-stone with the launch of its Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 and ISO 9001: 2015 Quality Management Systems Certification.
The strategic plan outlines the future direction of nursing and midwifery regulation in the country and aims to contribute to meeting and exceeding global health outcome indi-cators and support the achievement of Uni-versal Health Coverage.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health Nakhumicha S. Wafula commended the Council for its efforts in regulating nursing and mid-wifery education and practice in Kenya and acknowledged the critical role nurses and midwives play in achieving global health obligations and providing essential services to Kenyans.
“I commend the Nursing Council of Kenya for its commitment to a performance-based management culture, as evidenced by the development of this strategic plan.” She said.
I also recognize the critical role that nurses, and midwives play in achieving global health obligations and providing essential services to people.” She added.
She emphasized the importance of having a highly motivated health workforce and com-mitted the Ministry of Health to supporting the Council’s strategic 0bjectives.
CS Nakhumicha emphasized the need for all stakeholders to participate in the implementation process to ensure the success of the plan.
The Nursing Council of Kenya’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 envisions a safe and healthier world through regulating and promoting standards in nursing and midwifery education and practice that inspire public safety and confidence.
“This plan will contribute to meeting or exceeding global health outcome indicators and support the achievement of Universal Health Coverage,” said the CS.
The Cabinet Secretary also congratulated the Council on its ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certification, which verifies that its quality management system meets international standards.
“The launch of the Nursing Council of Kenya’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 and ISO certification marks an important milestone for the nursing and midwifery professions in the country. I call upon all stakeholders to participate in the implementation process to ensure the success of this plan.” Said the CS