Nurses decry FG’s discrimination in policies implementation

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives has condemned the selective and discriminatory implementation of government policies on career progression of nurses in the state.
Ronke Bello, the Chairperson of the association, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State branch, disclosed this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a news conference during a one-day rally/protest organised by nurses against such discriminations ad other issues.
Bello said the issues in contention included deteriorating state of infrastructure, functional equipments and non-availability of adequate medical consumables and inadequate manpower and skilled nurses.
Bello said: “In most of our hospitals, clinics and wards, the ration of nurses to patients is one to 15 and this is not in compliance with regulations of the nursing council.
“The discrimination and selective implementation of government policies by the Federal Ministry of Health on career progression for nurses and midwives.
“Those promoted have been on the same level and cadre without payment of promotion arrears.
“Promotion of nurses from CONHESS 11-11, 12-12, 13-13 and 14-14 with most of our members spends up to 10 to 12 years on the same grade and cadre.
“Nonpayment of promotion arrears by most CMDs/MDs for upwards of four years and their failure to recommence payment of teaching allowance to members on levels 7 and 8.”
At the rally, Wale Olatunde, the Chairman, Federal Health Institutions of Nigeria, UCH branch, said government should do the needful by settling the issues of nurses’ welfare once and for all.
Olatunde said: “We appeal to Mr President, Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to do the needful by upholding court judgments on the nurses’ issues.”