Oyo nurses, midwives strike continues as demands remain unmet

Nurses and midwives in Oyo State have vowed to continue their indefinite strike, which began on May 21, until their demands are met by the state government.

Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Samuel Adeyemi, stated on Wednesday that despite the government’s advertisement for recruitment, none of their agitations have been met.

Adeyemi emphasised, “Our indefinite strike continues… Strike in the health industry means a lot and will never be allowed in civilised countries.”

He listed the association’s demands, including mass recruitment, correction of promotion letters, lateral conversion/career progression, and payment of withheld 2011 salary arrears.

The strike has taken a toll on patients, who are struggling to access healthcare services in the state-owned hospitals and health centres.

Chairman of the State Hospitals Management Board (SHMB), Akin Fagbemi,  appealed to the striking nurses and midwives to call off their strike, assuring that recruitment is a continuous process and the board will address the gaps in the hospitals before the end of the year.

Fagbemi recalled that in 2020, the state government recruited health workers, and an advert has been placed to recruit competent hands, including doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and physiotherapists.

However, Adeyemi maintained that the strike will not be called off until Gov. Seyi Makinde takes appropriate action, stating, “That’s the decision of our congress.”