The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, has resolved to commence an indefinite strike on Friday over poor conditions of service.
The NANNM gave the notice of strike in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Felix Orobode and State PRO/Ag. Secretary, Lucky Aremu, in Akure on Thursday.
NANNM in the statement obtained by Thefrontrank directed all members to stay off duty from 12:00am on Friday, January 31, 2025 until its demands are met by the Ondo State government.
The statement read: “It is pertinent to let the public be aware of what Ondo State Nurses have been enduring for some time now especially in terms of our welfare.
“Despite being the most available healthcare professional in our health facilities across all the 18 local governments in the State, our matters have always been handed with levity. Nurses and Midwives play the roles of Doctors, Pharmacists, Health Information Officers, and even sometimes, Security Guards e.t.c in many of our health facilities most especially in some General hospitals and Health Centres.
“Rendering these different roles amidst brain drain and japa syndrome has helped in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in our dear State.
“It is imperative to underscore the troubling trend where professionals in the healthcare sector, particularly the Nurses and Midwives, are leaving the service of Ondo State. This exodus is not limited to migration abroad; many are also moving to the Federal Health Institutions and neighboring states that offer more attractive working conditions and improved remuneration packages.
“This brain drain poses a significant challenge to the state’s healthcare delivery system, as well as to the broader public service, requiring urgent attention and intervention to retain skilled personnel and ensure the sustainability of essential services for the people of Ondo State.
“Since the year 2023, various engagements were held with the government where we tabled our demands but none of them was thoroughly addressed.
“These demands include lateral conversion (point to point) for our Nurses with first degree Certificate, Uniform allowance for Nurses as captured in the Public Service Rule, payment of arrears of Promotion and Hazard allowances, Conducive environment of our health facilities with provision of adequate hospital equipment to work with and proper placement/remuneration of our Nurses and Midwives.
“With numerous rounds of negotiation, unwavering patience and significant concessions made by our Association, the government refused in honouring its commitment. Rather, one Profession in the health sector was being favored over others with the adjustment of their salary structure in July 2024.
“Following the approval of the #73,000 minimum wage by His Excellency, the adjustment made on our salary structure (CONHESS) was marred with irregularities which our Association and other unions under the salary structure immediately rejected.
“This necessitated another rounds of negotiation where a consensus was reached to have another table (CONHESS) with implementation from January 2025 salary. To our dismay, the January 2025 salary was paid with the old salary table which was never part of our agreement.
“Based on the unhealthy development, an emergency SEC meeting was summoned for today Thursday 30th January, 2025.
“After reviewing our activities so far, the SEC concluded that the government has been taken us for a ride and therefore resolved to direct all the Nurses and Midwives under the Employment of Ondo State to withdraw their services indefinitely with effect from 12:00am Friday of 31st January, 2025 until the following demands are met by the State Government.
- Payment of the balance of January 2025 salary as agreed with the 100% new salary table
- Correction of the 2022 Conversion Exercise where our members were indirectly demoted and lateral (point to point) conversion in subsequent Conversion Exercises.
- Payment of the arrears of Promotion and Hazard Allowances
- Resumption of negotiation on Uniform Allowance for Nurses as captured in the Public Service rule.
“The government’s refusal to address nurses’ welfare has left us with no other option but to take this action. Nurses can no longer endure the financial and professional neglect that has characterized our relationship with the government.
“The indefinite withdrawal of our services is not just a stand for better salaries—it is a demand for justice, equity, and recognition of the pivotal role nurses play in the healthcare system.
“We appeal to all well-meaning stakeholders and members of the public to understand and support our cause, as this action is ultimately in the best interest of Healthcare delivery in Ondo State.
“Finally, our members are therefore directed to stay off duty as from 12:00am Friday of 31st January, 2025 until our demands are met.”
