Cabinet has been petitioned to reject a proposed increase in annual subscription, licensing and penalty fees by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana (NMCB) as nurses warn that the new charges could force many professionals out of practice.
In a petition dated August 4 and addressed to the Secretary to the Cabinet through the Office of the President, citizens, nurses, midwives, students and healthcare supporters urged Cabinet to reject the proposed fee structure, arguing that it would place an unfair financial burden on the profession.
The petition which bears the stamp of the Office of the President and was copied to the Permanent Secretary to the President is backed by signatures collected through the Change.org platform.
‘We, the undersigned citizens, nurses, midwives, students, and supporters of Botswana’s healthcare system, respectfully submit this petition requesting the Cabinet of the Republic of Botswana to reject the proposed increase in the annual subscription, licensing and penalty fees proposed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Botswana,’ the petition states.
Petitioners argue that many nurses already struggle to pay the current annual subscription fee of P50, particularly unemployed and underemployed practitioners who must maintain their registration while searching for work.
‘For many years, nurses have struggled to meet the current annual subscription fee of P50. This challenge has been even greater for unemployed and underemployed nurses, who continue to seek employment while maintaining their professional registration. Increasing these fees substantially will make it even more difficult for many professionals to remain registered and legally practice,’ the petition says.
The group also raises concerns over proposed penalties for late payment, describing them as excessive and likely to have the opposite of their intended effect.
‘We are also deeply concerned by the proposed penalties for late payment, which are disproportionate and high. Rather than encouraging compliance, such penalties risk forcing many nurses and midwives out of the profession because they simply cannot afford the financial burden,’ the petition reads.
Beyond the financial implications, the petition questions the process followed before the proposal reached Cabinet, alleging that frontline healthcare professionals were not meaningfully consulted.
‘Equally concerning is the apparent lack of meaningful consultation with the primary stakeholders before the proposal was submitted to Cabinet. Nurses and midwives are directly affected by these changes, yet many report that they were neither adequately informed nor given a genuine opportunity to participate,’ the petition states.
The petitioners argue that professional regulatory fees should be fair, transparent and developed through broad consultation with those expected to pay them. They are now calling on Cabinet to reject the proposed fee increases and direct the NMCB to undertake wider stakeholder engagement before introducing any changes.
It is understood that the petition adds to growing opposition from nurses and their representative bodies, who have maintained that the proposed fee increases are unaffordable and could worsen staffing challenges by making it more difficult for qualified practitioners to maintain their licences.