KIGALI - The academic papers of practicing nurses in hospitals throughout the country are being investigated to establish whether some carry doctored papers, it has emerged. The move has reportedly sent nurses into panic. The investigation, according to a source from the ministry of health, is part of a stepped-up campaign to crackdown on forged academic papers. Last year it was revealed that employees at the Rwanda Revenue Authority were without the correct academic papers. The source told The Sunday Times last week that the investigation into nurses, which kicked off late last year, will target major hospitals first before it widens to other health centres.

Health minister, Dr Jean-Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, confirmed the development when contacted last week.

"Investigations are going on in Butare Hospital, King Faisal Hospital, and Kigali Central University Hospitals,” Ntawukuriryayo said in a telephone interview.
He said trouble awaits those who lied to get jobs in the hospitals.

Ntawukuriryayo revealed that concern arose when it was discovered that amongst a recent intake of nurses into Kigali hospitals many had forged their academic papers. The ministry crosschecked the nurses’ papers with records at the Rwanda National Examination Council (RNEC). All those discovered to be lying were sacked.

"I don’t have figures with me here but what I can say is that all these people left,” said Ntawukuriryayo.

These findings prompted a wider investigation into what appears to be a serious problem.
"We are working with police. Forging papers is criminal,” Ntawukuriryayo said.
A source from RNEC said the academic papers verification at their office stopped briefly last December but it would resume soon as recruitment exercises begin in ministries.

"Ordinarily, people send us the names of workers for verification during the recruitment,” the source added.

All people who were educated in Rwanda usually have their academic particulars kept in RNEC data banks; it is therefore easy to trace those who lied.

The ministry of health has put in place a professional nursing council charged with monitoring medical practitioners and ensuring that professional ethics are upheld. Before the council admits anyone, his or her papers will go through RNEC for vetting.

"Doctors and nurses have people’s lives in their hands; it goes without saying that they must have the right qualifications,” said Ntawukuriryayo.
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