The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has scheduled to meet today to review the FG promises made on Friday. The federal health institution sector also denied claims that it had suspended its seven-day nationwide warning strike.
Omomo Tibiebi, public relations officer of the union, clarified that the strike continues despite a meeting with the Federal government yesterday. He noted that the Minister of Health, Mohammed Pate, disclosed the false information after the meeting was concluded.
Tibiebi emphasized that the minister has no right to call off the strike since he didn’t initiate the strike. According to him, a decision would be made after a meeting with the national executive council (NEC)
The warning strike, which started on Wednesday, was embarked on by the union to push for its demands. This includes upward review of shift allowances, establishment of a nursing department in the federal ministry of health, among others.
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Meanwhile, patients currently face disruptions in healthcare delivery due to the nationwide strike embarked on by the union. Reports say that few medical staff available, are struggling to maintain basic operations as a result of excessive patient loads.
Also, patients have been discharged due to huge deserted hospital wards, a shortage of nurses and hospital closures. Addressing the strike, the national chairman of the union, Morakinyo Rilwan, revealed that the strike was driven by widespread frustration among its members.
Rilwan maintained that the government had failed to engage with the association during the 15-day ultimatum issued on July 14. The strike, which has destabilised the health sector of the country, is scheduled to last until August 5, 2025
