Nurses and midwives employed by the Oyo State Government will begin an indefinite strike from Wednesday.
This is in compliance with the directive of the Oyo State chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to its members on Tuesday.
The directive in a circular signed by the NANNM state chairman, Adeyemi Samuel and Secretary, Aina Emmanuel, was that the action followed the expiration of 14 working days ultimatum given the state government to address its issues.
Confirming the strike declaration to the Nigerian Tribune on Tuesday evening, state secretary of NANNM said the action was total and indefinite until the state government begins to attend to and implement its requests.
He affirmed that several meetings had been held with the commissioner of health, hospital management board, House Committee on Health among other stakeholders but that its members had become weary of promises, and agreements by the government that were yet to see the light of the day.
Among the demands of the nurses and midwives is the need for mass recruitment of nurses and midwives/nurse educators into the hospital management board, Primary Health Care Board, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso and Oyo State College of Nursing Sciences, Eleyele, Ibadan, to address the gross shortage of staff to improve health care delivery in the state.
This, the association said had become imperative because several medical personnel had left for foreign countries leaving a huge burden of work for those left behind.
Other demands of the nurses are the correction of the wrong notional date on the promotional letter issued to its members and, adoption and implementation of 25 per cent CONMESS adjustment circular for nurses and midwives working with Oyo State Government.
The NANNM is also calling for financial implementation of 2018 to 2022 promotion for nurses and midwives working in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso and payment of withheld January/February 2011 salaries to nurses that are yet to be paid.
Also requested is adoption and implementation of enhanced hazard allowances for nurses and midwives working in LAUTECH teaching hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State College of Nursing, Eleyele-Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Technology, Eleyele-Ibadan and Primary Health Care Development Board/LGA.
Adoption and implementation of lateral conversion/career progression for nurses and midwives on GL12 and above who have possessed degree certificate in Nursing Sciences (BNSc).
One more agitation of the NANNM is for payment of uniform allowance to all nurses and midwives in the service of Oyo State in line with public services rule.