The NANNM-FHI strike remains in full force as the nurses union meets today to assess government promises made yesterday.
Despite Friday’s meeting with Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate, the union insists the strike has not been suspended.
Omomo Tibiebi, the National Public Relations Officer, clarified only the union’s council holds the power to end strikes.
Tibiebi stated the health minister’s press claims are misleading, as the government never initiated or ended the strike.
The strike began on Wednesday to demand urgent action on key issues affecting nurses’ welfare and service delivery nationwide.
Union demands include upward shift allowance reviews, revised uniform allowances, separate salary structure, and mass nurse recruitment.
They also call for increased core duty allowance and the creation of a nursing department in the health ministry.
Tibiebi confirmed that the union’s National Executive Council would review the government’s offers in a meeting later today.
Only after thorough evaluation will the union decide whether the government’s promises are satisfactory enough to suspend action.
Meanwhile, hospitals across Nigeria are suffering the consequences of reduced workforce and overwhelmed remaining medical personnel.
Wards in many facilities have been shut, some patients discharged, and services in others have been reduced or halted.
Patients nationwide continue facing service disruptions as the nurses’ strike stretches into its fifth consecutive day of action.
Although the government has expressed willingness to resolve the issue, the nurses remain firm until demands are addressed.
Healthcare access remains limited for many Nigerians as the NANNM-FHI strike continues without an end currently in sight.