Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Guinea (Ratification: 1982)

Article 2(1) of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel. The Committee notes the Government’s statement that notwithstanding the National Plan for Health Care Development (PNDS) and the particular status of health care personnel, no national policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel has yet been established. The Government also indicates that the adoption and application of such a policy remains a priority and that it would welcome the technical and financial assistance of the Office in this regard. The Committee understands that the Government intends to revise the National Plan for Health Care Development and also that according to a report published in February 2012 concerning the human resources needs in the health sector, there is a significant deficit in qualified personnel, including specialized nurses. Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that in the near future it intends to put in place, in cooperation with the National Nurses Association (ANIGUI), a programme aiming at creating a stimulating environment for the exercise of the nursing profession. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on any progress made towards the formulation of a national policy on nursing services, the revision of the National Plan for Health Care Development and the completion of the collaborative project with ANIGUI.

Article 6. Conditions of work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that nursing personnel enjoy the same working conditions and benefits as all other public employees and are covered by Act L/2001/028/AN of 31 December 2001 establishing the Civil Service General Statute. The Committee understands, however, that the special status of nursing personnel is regulated by decree in accordance with section 4 of the above-referenced Act, while sections 52 and 73 of the same Act provide for additional decrees to determine wage levels and leave entitlements. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to: (i) specify the legal provisions governing the conditions of work of nursing personnel as regards hours of work (including regulation and compensation of overtime), weekly rest, annual leave, maternity leave, sick leave and social security; and (ii) transmit copies of all relevant texts that may not have been previously communicated to the Office. In addition, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information with respect to the employment and working conditions of nursing personnel in the private sector. The Committee understands that private health-care establishments are expanding even though most of them do not meet the standards set by the Ministry of Health, as concluded in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) report of March 2012. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide more detailed information, including the text of relevant laws and regulations, showing how effect is given to this Article of the Convention in respect of nursing personnel employed in the private sector.

Article 7. Occupational health protection. The Committee notes the Government’s explanations that the Department of Health Care has, among other measures, set up safety and health committees in health care establishments and provides training to health workers against HIV/AIDS infection at the workplace. In this respect, the Committee wishes to refer to the HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No. 200), adopted by the International Labour Conference in June 2010, and in particular Paragraphs 31 and 37 thereof, which provide for the adoption of occupational safety and health measures, particularly in occupations most at risk, including in the health sector, and also for the implementation of national HIV/AIDS policies and programmes through sectorial strategies, with particular attention paid to the sectors in which workers are most at risk. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on all safety measures aimed at enhancing the occupational health protection of nursing personnel, and in particular limiting the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.

Part V of the report. Practical application. The Committee requests the Government to provide up-to-date information on the organization of health-care services (number of hospitals, clinics and health centres, geographical distribution of medical facilities, nurse-to-population ratio, changes in the numbers of nursing staff in recent years), and also on any broader issues having an impact on the quality of nursing services such as the financial situation of health establishments, whether public or private, understaffing and migration of nursing personnel.