THE National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions Sector, has denied reports circulating in the media that its ongoing nationwide warning strike has been suspended.
The union clarified on Friday that the strike action, which began on Wednesday, is still in full force and that any decision on a possible suspension can only be made by the association’s National Executive Council (NEC), scheduled to meet on Saturday.
In an exclusive chat with News Point Nigeria, the National Public Relations Officer of NANNM-FHI, Omomo Tibiebi, dismissed comments made earlier in the day by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, suggesting the strike had ended following a meeting with union leaders.
“Yes, our executives met with the minister, but he went to the press afterwards to say the strike was suspended. He wasn’t the one that declared the strike, so he cannot unilaterally call it off.”
The warning strike was declared to push for several long-standing demands, including: An upward review of shift allowances, adjustment of uniform allowance, a separate and enhanced salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowances, mass recruitment of qualified nurses and the establishment of a Nursing Department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
According to the union, nurses across federal health institutions have grown increasingly frustrated over the government’s failure to address these issues despite multiple engagements over the past months.
Tibiebi confirmed that NEC members will reconvene on Saturday to review the Federal Government’s latest proposals and determine whether to suspend or escalate the industrial action.
“It is the NEC that has the authority to call off the strike, not the minister,” he reiterated. “Until then, the strike continues across all federal health institutions.”
The impact of the strike is already being felt across the country. Public hospitals in major cities and rural areas alike are reporting serious staff shortages, especially in nursing wards. Many patients have been discharged prematurely due to lack of personnel, while others are being turned away or left unattended.
In Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, and Port Harcourt, medical services are operating on skeletal levels. Some wards have been completely shut down, while the few available doctors are reportedly overwhelmed.
A nurse at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity to News Point Nigeria, said: “We sympathise with patients, but this strike is necessary. We’ve been ignored for too long.”
Patients and caregivers at various hospitals have expressed frustration over the disruption of care, with many calling on the Federal Government to swiftly meet the demands of the nurses and restore full health services.
As of Friday evening, the Ministry of Health had yet to issue a formal response to the union’s rebuttal of the minister’s earlier claim.
However, sources within the Ministry told News Point Nigeria that negotiations are ongoing and that the government is hopeful the union will reconsider after Saturday’s NEC meeting.
As Saturday’s NEC meeting looms, healthcare delivery across Nigeria remains strained, and all eyes are now on the nurses’ union for the next course of action.
