Fitness to Practice ensures that healthcare professionals are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared to provide safe and effective care to patients.

Mrs. Philomina A.N. Woolley, the Registrar of the N&MC, disclosed this during the induction ceremony for nurses and midwives in Accra.

The induction ceremony welcomed 51,773 new nurses and midwives, including Nurse Assistants,
Basic and Post Basic Nurses, and Midwives who qualified between November 2022 and April 2024 across four regions.

The first three induction events were held in Tamale, Sunyani, and Cape Coast.

Mrs. Woolley explained that the upcoming policy would help determine whether professionals are in the right frame of mind to practice and urged the inductees to embrace lifelong learning.
She said that healthcare was an ever-evolving field, driven by new research, technologies, and treatment methods.

To provide optimal patient care, Mrs. Woolley stressed the importance of staying updated on the latest developments in nursing and midwifery practice.

She also assured the inductees that the council was re-engineering its licensing processes to introduce the concept of re-validation. This initiative involves the periodic assessment of a practitioner's ongoing performance, competence, and professionalism, which is essential for maintaining high standards of care and safety.

Mrs. Woolley encouraged training institutions to integrate re-validation into the educational process to ensure it becomes a core aspect of healthcare professionals' continuous development.

Mrs. Netta Forson Ackon, a member of the 15th Governing Board, advised the inductees to avoid working in isolation and to instead collaborate as a team to contribute to the country's goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.

"Let your pride and endurance fuel their confidence, growth and compassion for your patients. You are the bridge between serenity and compassion, ensure everyone feels safe and comfortable in their time of dignity and hope, she added."

The event also recognized the best-performing candidates in various disciplines, awarding them for their outstanding achievements.

A special prayer was offered for the inductees, seeking divine guidance and strength to enable them to excel in their respective fields.