The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, has directed its members across all government-owned health facilities across the 18 council areas of the state to embark on an indefinite strike.

While disclosing on Thursday that the strike action became imperative due to the resolve of the state government to ignore their demands, the association lamented that due to the shortage of health workers, other roles were being undertaken by its members to avoid gaps.

According to the state Chairman of NANNM, Felix Orobode, and the Public Relations Officer, Luck Aremu, in a statement made available to The Guardian, the state government had since 2023 been turning a blind eye to all their requests.

They maintained that nurses can no longer endure the financial and professional neglect that has characterised their relationship with the government.

The Orobode, who further stressed that the requests of other personnel within the health sector were given approval, stated that the troubling scenario had been fueling the movement of nurses and midwives from the state.

Some of their requests include payment of the balance of January 2025 salary as agreed with the 100 percent new salary table, correction of the 2022 conversion exercise where their members were “indirectly demoted and lateral (point to point) conversion in subsequent conversion exercises, as well as payment of the arrears of promotion and hazard allowances and resumption of negotiation on uniform allowance for nurses as captured in the public service rule.”

“Despite being the most available healthcare professional in our health facilities across all the 18 local governments in the state, our matters have always been handled with levity.

“Nurses and midwives play the roles of doctors, pharmacists, health information officers, and even sometimes, security guards, etc., in many of our health facilities, most especially in some general hospitals and health centres.
“Rendering these different roles amidst brain drain and japa syndrome has helped in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in our dear state.

“It is imperative to underscore the troubling trend where professionals in the healthcare sector, particularly the nurses and midwives, are leaving the service of Ondo State. This exodus is not limited to migration abroad; many are also moving to the federal health institutions and neighbouring states that offer more attractive working conditions and improved remuneration packages.

“Following the approval of the #73,000 minimum wage by His Excellency, the adjustment made on our salary structure (CONHESS) was marred with irregularities, which our Association and other unions under the salary structure immediately rejected.

“Based on the unhealthy development, an emergency SEC meeting was summoned for today, Thursday, 30th January, 2025. After reviewing our activities so far, the SEC concluded that the government has been taking us for a ride and therefore resolved to direct all the nurses and midwives under the employment of Ondo State to withdraw their services indefinitely with effect from 12:00 am Friday of 31st January, 2025.”