Healthcare services at Adeoyo Hospital in Ibadan have been severely disrupted as the facility discharged in-patients and halted new admissions following the commencement of a seven-day nationwide warning strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The strike, which began on Wednesday, is in response to the Federal Government’s failure to meet key demands, including the upward review of shift and uniform allowances, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, and mass recruitment into the profession.
The association is also demanding the establishment of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.A visit to the hospital revealed that most wards were empty, with only a few critical patients left without nursing support.
Relatives of those still on admission expressed concern over the lack of nursing care. Mr. Adegoke Rahman, whose mother recently underwent leg surgery, said doctors were making efforts to manage the situation, but the absence of nurses had taken a toll.
Another outpatient, Mr. Samuel Biyi, said he was not attended to despite being in pain. A doctor at the hospital, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed that while doctors and other health workers were still on duty, the hospital had stopped taking admissions and was referring critical cases to private facilities.
The Oyo State chapter of NANNM, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Aina, confirmed full compliance with the strike directive issued by the association’s national leadership following an emergency meeting.
The strike is expected to last seven days unless their demands are addressed.
