Regulation of the Nursing and Midwifery professions in Tanzania started in 1953 when the Nurses and Midwives Registration Ordinance was passed by the Parliament. This law was repealed in 1997 and replaced by the Nurses and Midwives Registration Act. Also, this Act was repealed in 2000 and the new Act was passed known as the Nursing and Midwifery Act. This new Act provided more autonomy to the Council by giving it body corporate status.
The functions of the Council, as provided by law, are:
- Register and enroll nurses
- Keep and maintain register and roll of nurses
- Establish standards of proficiency necessary to be admitted to the register
- Evaluate and approve nursing education programs
- Issue practicing licenses
- Establish standards of conduct, performance and ethics
- Take disciplinary measures in event of professional misconduct
- Prescribe standards for establishing private nursing or midwifery services
- Develop and conduct licensing examinations
Advise the Minister on matters concerning nursing and midwifery including policy matters
The Council has 13 members and the chairperson must be a nurse. The current achievements include establishment of computer-based data system and implementation of periodic renewal of licenses.
http://tnmc.go.tz/index.php/documents/category/policies_regulations/ (updated 2010) (accessed on 20.06.2011)