Nurses Disown Minister’s Claim, Insist Strike Still Ongoing

Contrary to recent claims by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, that the ongoing warning strike by nurses has been suspended, the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has denied any such decision.

Speaking on behalf of the union, the National Public Relations Officer of NANNM’s Federal Health Institutions sector, Omomo Tibiebi, stated emphatically that the strike, which began last Wednesday, remains in effect.

“The strike has not been suspended,” Tibiebi clarified. “Earlier today, NANNM executives met with the minister, but it was Prof. Pate who went to the media claiming the strike had been called off. He wasn’t the one who declared the strike, so he has no authority to announce its suspension.”

Tibiebi further revealed that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) is scheduled to meet on Saturday to deliberate on the government’s proposals and decide whether they are satisfactory enough to warrant a suspension of the industrial action.

“There will be a NEC meeting tomorrow (Saturday), and that’s when a decision will be made. We will determine if the Federal Government’s offer meets our expectations,” he added.

Nurses across federal health institutions began the warning strike to press home their demands for improved welfare. These include an upward review of shift and uniform allowances, the creation of a special salary structure for nurses, an increase in core duty allowance, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health.

As of now, healthcare services in many public hospitals remain disrupted pending the outcome of the NEC meeting.