The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions sector, has dismissed claims by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, that the ongoing nurses’ strike has been suspended.
In a statement issued on Friday, NANNM’s National Public Relations Officer, Omomo Tibiebi, insisted that the industrial action, which commenced on Wednesday, is still in progress.
According to Tibiebi, while the union’s leadership met with the minister earlier in the day, no agreement was reached to suspend the strike. “The strike was not suspended,” he said. “The minister cannot unilaterally call off a strike he did not declare. Only the union’s leadership, through the appropriate structures, can make that decision.”
He explained that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union is scheduled to meet on Saturday to assess the government’s response to their demands and determine the next steps.
“The NEC will convene tomorrow to review the offers made by the government. A decision on whether to suspend the strike will be taken then,” he added.
The nurses are protesting over issues including poor working conditions, the need for a revised shift and uniform allowance, increased core duty allowance, a special salary structure, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health. They are also demanding mass recruitment to address staff shortages in federal health institutions.
The strike has led to the disruption of services in public hospitals across the country.