The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives’ Oyo State Council has vowed to go on an indefinite strike if their demands are not fulfilled within 14 working days.
In a letter dated Thursday, May 2, 2024, and sent to Governor Seyi Makinde, the council said that the resolution was reached following a Tuesday state executive council meeting on matters pertaining to the advancement of careers and well-being of nurses employed by the state government.
Adeyemi Samuel, the chairman of the council, and Aina Emmanuel, the secretary, signed the letter, which was headed “Notification of 14 Days Ultimatum.”
The adoption of the revised Consolidated Health Salary Structure, staffing shortages, and reversing incorrect notional dates on promotion letters are only a few of the demands made by the nurses.
The nurses claim that if their demands are not satisfied, the ultimatum, which started on May 2, 2024, will expire on May 21, 2024, and an indefinite strike would begin on May 22, Wednesday midnight.
Nurses and midwives are among the many healthcare professionals leaving Nigeria in large numbers. The enormous exodus can be attributed to a number of factors, including low pay, growing levels of insecurity, inadequate diagnostic facilities, unfavorable work environments, and economic situations.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria receives petitions from nurses and midwives practically weekly, requesting to be released from their positions or to leave the nation, according to Michael Nnachi, President of NANNM, who spoke with our correspondent in October 2023.
Over 57,000 nurses left Nigeria in 2022, according to Nnachi, in search of better opportunities overseas over a five-year period that ended in 2022.
He stated the surviving nurses are overworked as a result of the mass desertion.
“It’s pertinent to note that all these issues have been for a very long time and several letters have been written for the government to come to our aid without a positive response.
“Hence, we would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike at the expiration of our ultimatum if the following requests/prayers are not granted.
“Our prayers include – Mass recruitment of Nurses and Midwives/Nurse Educator into Hospitals Management Board, Primary Health Care Board, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho and Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan, to address the gross shortage of staff to improve health care delivery in the state.
“Correction of the wrong notional date on the promotion letters issued to our members. Adoption and implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for Nurses and Midwives working with the Oyo State Government.
- “Financial implementation of 2018 to 2022 promotion for Nurses and Midwives working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho. Adoption and implementation of Enhanced Hazard Allowances for Nurses and Midwives Working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho, Oyo State College of Nursing Eleyele-Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Technology Eleyele-Ibadan and Primary Health Care Development Board/LGA,” the letter read in part.
In addition, they seek the payment of withheld January/February 2011 salaries to nurses who have not yet received them, the adoption and implementation of lateral conversion/career progression for nurses and midwives on GL12 and above who possess degree certificates in nursing sciences, and the payment of uniform allowance to all nurses and midwives working for Oyo State in accordance with public services rule.
“If all the aforementioned prayers are not met within 14 working days, the State Executive Council of NANNM will have no option than to direct her members to proceed on indefinite strike till when all these demands are met,” it added.
