The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Ondo State government to implement a new salary increase for its members or face a strike.
NANNM gave the ultimatum in a letter to the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday.
The letter, signed by the State President of the Association, Orobode Felix, and the Secretary of State, Ayenioye Olabisi, demanded the implementation of an “Upward Review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS”.
The union did not agree with the state government's stance that allegedly tended to make nurses inferior to other professionals in the health sector.
The union noted that doctors' salaries increased in August and the government immediately began implementing it.
According to Mr. Orobode, the government's failure to mobilize all relevant agencies threatens industrial harmony.
He also clarified that the protest had nothing to do with current political activities since the union does not participate in politics and only seeks to improve the well-being of its members.
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The union further argued that efforts to get the government to listen had failed and therefore it was left with no option but to press further through an industrial strike.
“This is because several of our demands made to your esteemed offices in our previous letters dated (August 9, 2022; January 22, 2024; and May 6, 2024), respectively, did not receive attention from your office “said the union.
Importance of nurses
NANNM also stated that nurses remain the backbone of the healthcare sector and perform their duties patiently under uncomfortable conditions.
“Despite these difficulties, nurses in Ondo State remain committed to providing the best possible healthcare services, day and night. However, our efforts have not been matched with adequate attention to our well-being from the government,” the union said.
More demands
Some of the demands contained in the letter include 100 percent approval and implementation of CONHESS as all neighboring states pay for it to reduce migration within Nigeria; a 25 percent upward revision of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for nurses, to match the adjustments made at the federal level, just as the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors was revised and the same is being paid.
The union also applied for conversion of nurses in Ondo State after acquiring the required certificates; and the immediate employment of nursing staff “as there is an urgent need to hire additional nursing staff in all health centers in the state.”
Other demands include payment of four months of outstanding risk allowance arrears; Commencement of payment of uniform allowances and improvement of security in health centers and upward review of allowances for body nurses within the health sector in Ondo State.
The letter further reads in part: “We believe that the prompt resolution of these issues is vital to maintaining a motivated and efficient nursing workforce in Ondo State. In this regard, we hereby issue a 15-day ultimatum, starting from 12 midnight on October 8, 2024, for the state government to address our demands.
“Failure to address these demands leaves us no choice but to consider industrial action. We remain committed to dialogue and partnership with government in our quest for better healthcare services in Ondo State. We trust that Your Excellency will act quickly to avoid any disruption to the healthcare system. Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to these urgent matters.”
The Ondo State Government is yet to formally respond to the nurses' threat.
Calls made to the governor's chief press secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, were not answered. End.