Nurses finally suspend warning strike four days into escalated groaning in public healthcare delivery
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.
“NEC has directed the national leadership to continue monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.
“State councils are directed to mobilize members for the immediate resumption of duty. NEC resolved that no member of NANNM, including intern and locum nurses, should be victimized for participating in the nationwide strike.
“NEC appreciates the commitment and solidarity of all members throughout this action and reiterates that NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria” – NANNM circular to members.
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Nurses in public hospitals have suspended their seven-day warning strike after four days of escalated groaning in health delivery caused by government neglect manifesting in low wage, insensitive management, and inadequate facilities, among other grouses, amid brazen wasteful spending and outright theft of public funds in all layers of government.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) suspended the strike following a virtual emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday which reviewed the latest engagement with the Federal Government.
Health Minister Ali Pate on Friday hastily announced suspension of the strike after initial meeting with the union members but they rebuffed the call, saying it was not his to make, and said they would take their own decision after their NEC meeting.
The industrial action was initiated to press for the implementation of key demands, including upward review of shift and uniform allowances, introduction of a separate salary structure for nurses, increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nursing personnel, and the creation of a Nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.
NANNM officials on Saturday met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, and other stakeholders in a bid to resolve the issues.
“The strike has been suspended. Nurses and midwives are to resume duty immediately,” NANNM Assistant Secretary General Chidi Aligwe declared late on Saturday.
The suspension was formally announced in circular titled “Suspension of the Ongoing Nationwide Nurses’ Strike” signed by NANNM National President Haruna Mamman and General Secretary T.A. Shettima.
The circular said the NEC resolved to suspend the strike after extensively reviewing the latest Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the government and the agreed timeline for implementation of key issues.
“NEC acknowledges the positive steps taken by the Federal Government in responding to the nine core demands of NANNM, particularly the commitment to clear timelines for implementation,” the circular stressed.
“In view of the formal agreement reached, and in line with the principle of dialogue and good faith, NEC hereby suspends the ongoing nationwide strike action with immediate effect.
“NEC has directed the national leadership to continue monitoring the implementation of the signed MoU and track the government’s compliance with the agreed timelines.
“State councils are directed to mobilize members for the immediate resumption of duty. NEC resolved that no member of NANNM, including intern and locum nurses, should be victimized for participating in the nationwide strike.
“NEC appreciates the commitment and solidarity of all members throughout this action and reiterates that NANNM remains steadfast in defending the welfare, dignity, and professional rights of all nurses and midwives in Nigeria.”
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