Officially, the strike began at midnight on Tuesday, after a 15-day ultimatum issued by the union on July 14, expired.
In a statement, NANNM-FHI revealed that the warning strike became necessary after all efforts to engage the government were ignored. Government owned Hospitals and clinics all around the nation are expected to comply with the strike and this will invariably cause a disruptions in healthcare services.
The National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Comrade Morakinyo Rilwan, while speaking to news men criticized the government’s utter neglect of nurses’ welfare and their indispensable role in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Rilwan said, “We made our demands clear and gave ample time for negotiation, but there was no response. Even if the government comes to the table now, the strike will run its full seven days.”
Some of the demands made by the association include the implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, improved shift and uniform allowances, an increase in duty allowances, immediate recruitment of more nurses to ease workforce pressure, and the creation of a dedicated Nursing Services Department within the Federal Ministry of Health.
According to healthcare analysts, unless urgent steps are taken, the strike may severely impact patient care and health service delivery, especially in public hospitals.