Kwara State chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, has sympathized with patients affected by the ongoing 7-day strike action in public health facilities across the state.
“As nurses, this situation saddens us and we are eager to return to our duties,” the Kwara Secretary of the association, Comrade Markus Luca, stated in a statement in Ilorin on Friday.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government to urgently address our demands so that we can resume work without further delay.”
Comrade Markus listed some negative effects of the strike on patients, which include, among others, overcrowding in private hospitals as many patients have been forced to turn to private health facilities.
The association also lamented the exploitation of patients by the private hospitals, contrary to the affordable or subsidized healthcare they would have received at public hospitals.
It further noted the delayed or missed treatments for patients in respect of surgeries and antenatal care, among others, postponed indefinitely and putting patients’ health at risk.
“In emergencies, the lack of timely medical attention has reportedly contributed to preventable deaths and complications, especially among the vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
“In some areas, unlicensed or traditional practitioners are exploiting the gap, posing risks to public healthcare through unsafe practices,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reportedly withdrawn the controversial circular on nurses’ wages that recently triggered nationwide outrage among health workers and raised fears of a looming strike.
Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, announced the withdrawal on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
