Nurses’ strike takes toll on patients at LUTH

• Hospital Did Not Shut Down, Says Management

The ongoing industrial strike action embarked upon by the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) branch is taking a heavy toll on patients. Some patients have cried out that they are dying slowly, and prayed for God’s intervention to settle the rift between LUTH management and the striking nurses.

When The Guardian visited LUTH, patients, who refused to relocate, are being denied full medical services.

New patients were also denied admission, while elderly ones, who refused to leave, were offered skeletal services by doctors, consultants and other health workers not affected by the strike.

Some of the patients at the Accident and Emergency Unit, LUTH, prayed to God to touch the hearts of both LUTH Management and the striking nurses, so, that they can be properly taken care of.

Mrs. Kafayat Juwon, a patient, said: “I pray that the Lord touches the heart of nurses and LUTH Management to end this strike. We are dying slowly on a daily basis. It is quite unfortunate that it is when we need adequate medical service to enable us recover from our sicknesses that nurses went on strike.”

At other wards, some patients that spoke with The Guardian said they had nowhere else to seek medical attention. They claimed their medical needs were peculiar and could not easily be handled at private hospitals.

One of them, who identified herself as Yetunde Akindele, said she has been on admission since three months ago, adding she was not in a hurry to relocate to any private hospital for financial reason.

She said: “I was brought here three months ago, when I was involved in auto accident. You do not expect me to leave now because I am almost healed. If I have to go to a private clinic, where will I get the money? Also, they may not be able to take care of my situation very well, so I am staying here.”

Kelechi Otuneme, Public Relation Officer of LUTH, said admitted patients are being taken care of by doctors. He explained that patients with minor conditions are being discharged to manage their conditions at home or other hospitals, while those with critical conditions are being cared for by doctors and consultants.

“The hospital did not shut down, as patients are being treated. By God’s grace, sooner than later, the nurses would resume work. Currently, doctors, consultants, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, administrators, accountants, resident doctors and house officers are working, except for the nurses.

“For instance, nursing mothers are coming to immunise their babies and we encourage other women at home to come and immunise their children.

“Management is making efforts to negotiate with the nurses to ensure that the strike is called off to enable patients get proper treatment.”