The Oyo state council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if their demands are not met in 14 working days.

The council in a letter addressed to Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday, May 2, 2024, stated that the resolution was made after its state executive council meeting held on Tuesday on issues affecting the welfare and career progression of nurses working with the state government.

The letter titled, ‘Notification of 14 days ultimatum,’ was signed by the council’s Chairman, Adeyemi Samuel, and Secretary, Aina Emmanuel.

The demands of the nurses border on shortage of staff, correction of the wrong notional date on promotion letters, and implementation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure, among others.

According to the nurses, the ultimatum which began on May 2, 2024, will end on May 21, 2024; and the indefinite strike will commence on May 22, Wednesday midnight if their demands are not met.

Nigeria is experiencing a massive exodus of healthcare workers, including nurses, and midwives. Poor remuneration, rising insecurity, inadequate diagnostic facilities, unconducive work conditions, and economic conditions are some of the reasons for the mass exodus.

In October 2023, the President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi told our correspondent that almost every week, nurses and midwives send applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, either to leave the country or be relieved of their duties.

In 2022, Nnachi said over 57,000 nurses migrated from Nigeria for greener pastures abroad within a period of five years spanning from 2017 to 2022.

He said the mass exit leaves the remaining nurses overworked.

“It’s pertinent to note that all these issues have been for a very long time and several letters have been written for the government to come to our aid without a positive response. Hence, we would be compelled to commence an indefinite strike at the expiration of our ultimatum if the following requests/prayers are not granted.

“Our prayers include – Mass recruitment of Nurses and Midwives/Nurse Educator into Hospitals Management Board, Primary Health Care Board, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomosho and Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan, to address the gross shortage of staff to improve health care delivery in the state.

“Correction of the wrong notional date on the promotion letters issued to our members. Adoption and implementation of the 25 per cent CONHESS adjustment circular for Nurses and Midwives working with the Oyo State Government.

“Financial implementation of 2018 to 2022 promotion for Nurses and Midwives working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho. Adoption and implementation of Enhanced Hazard Allowances for Nurses and Midwives Working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomosho, Oyo State College of Nursing Eleyele-Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Technology Eleyele-Ibadan and Primary Health Care Development Board/LGA,” the letter read in part.

They also demand the adoption and implementation of lateral conversion/career progression for Nurses and Midwives on GL12 and above who have possessed degree certificates in Nursing Sciences, the payment of withheld January/February 2011 salaries to the nurses that are yet to be paid, and the payment of uniform allowance to all Nurses and Midwives in the service of Oyo state in line with public services rule.

“If all the aforementioned prayers are not met within 14 working days, the State Executive Council of NANNM will have no option than to direct her members to proceed on indefinite strike till when all these demands are met,” it added.