Nurses threaten nationwide warning strike as they give govt 15-day ultimatum

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions (FHI) Sector, has given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to address the alleged victimisation of its members at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna.

The union warned that it would embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike if its demands are not met by July 29.

In a letter addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, NANNM accused the hospital’s management of victimising union officials, failing to implement an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and creating industrial unrest.

The union demanded the reinstatement of its suspended unit chairman, reversal of the alleged demotion of three nurses, implementation of the MoU and an investigation into alleged anti-union practices.

According to the association, its unit chairman was suspended after providing temporary accommodation for nursing students on clinical posting who were stranded.

“It is our considered view that this humanitarian action should have attracted commendation rather than punishment,” the union said.

NANNM also alleged that the hospital’s Medical Director had failed to implement the agreement reached after an earlier industrial dispute, despite government intervention.

The union while reaffirming its commitment to dialogue warned that failure to address its demands within the 15-day deadline would leave it with no choice but to begin a three-day nationwide warning strike.