Nurses deny suspending nationwide warning strike
….say NEC to review government offers
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) has refuted claims that it has suspended its ongoing nationwide seven-day warning strike.
In a statement on Friday, the association clarified that the industrial action, which commenced on Wednesday, remains in force.
The union said it would only review its stance after assessing the government’s offers during a closed-door meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, held on Friday
National Public Relations Officer of the association, Omomo Tibiebi, and National President Rilwan Morakinyo both affirmed that no decision had been taken to call off the strike.
“The strike is on,” Morakinyo told The Nation. “The association’s leadership will meet to review the offers before making a decision.”
The warning strike was declared to press for longstanding demands, including a review of shift and uniform allowances, creation of a distinct salary structure for nurses, adjustment of core duty allowances, mass recruitment of nurses, and the establishment of a Department of Nursing Services within the Federal Ministry of Health.
The union urged members to remain resolute until further directives are issued.
Speaking further on the development, the National Public Relations Tibiebi said the union’s National Executive Council will meet on Saturday to assess the Federal Government’s response before deciding on the next steps.
“The strike has not been suspended. Earlier today, the NANNM executives had a meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and it was the minister who went to the press to say the strike was called off.
He (the Minister) wasn’t the one who called the strike in the first place, so he has no right to call off the strike. So, the strike is still on.
“There will be a National Executive Council meeting by tomorrow (Saturday), and that’s when a decision will be made, and we will know if what the Federal Government has promised is good enough for us to suspend the strike,” he said.
Hospitals across the country continue to bear the brunt of the strike, with reduced staffing, suspended services, and patients discharged due to inadequate care.
Several wards in Federal and State health institutions remain deserted, with skeletal operations ongoing in a few departments and full shutdowns reported in others.(THE NATION)
 has refuted claims that it){kind=link}