Awka, Anambra State – Nurses in Anambra State, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), have staged a protest against the deplorable working conditions in government-owned health institutions across the state. The nurses voiced their grievances during an interactive forum held at their residential quarters, known as Nurses House, in Okpuno, Awka, the state capital.
The protest was aimed at engaging the state leadership of NANNM and urging them to convey their demands to the state government. The nurses highlighted several issues, including the poor implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), inadequate hazard allowances, and overcrowded healthcare facilities.
Key Grievances
The nurses expressed frustration over their low salaries, which they claim are the lowest among neighboring states. “We have never been paid more than 60 percent of our salary, even with the current minimum wage increment,” they lamented.
They also decried the overwhelming patient-to-bed ratio in hospitals, which they say hampers their ability to provide quality care. “Some of us work in hospitals with over 80 patients in a ward originally meant for 20 beds, making it extremely difficult for health workers to operate in such an environment,” they stated.
Additionally, the nurses criticized the meager hazard allowance of N3,000, which falls significantly short of the statutory N30,000. “To date, our hazard allowance still remains N3,000, as against the N30,000 statutory amount that is supposed to be paid,” they said.
Appeal to the State Government
The nurses appealed to the Anambra State government, particularly through the Commissioner for Health, to address their concerns urgently. They warned that their working conditions are deteriorating daily, posing risks to both healthcare workers and patients.
NANNM Leadership Responds
Mrs. Edith Onwuka, the State Chairperson of NANNM, assured the protesting nurses that the association would escalate their concerns to the state government. She urged the nurses to remain patient, noting that a meeting with relevant authorities had already been scheduled.
“We will reach out to the state government to resolve all pending issues. We plead for your patience as we work towards addressing your concerns,” Onwuka said.
A Call for Immediate Action
The protest underscores the growing discontent among healthcare workers in Anambra State, who are calling for better pay, improved working conditions, and the implementation of statutory allowances. As the backbone of the healthcare system, the nurses emphasized that addressing their demands is crucial to improving service delivery and patient care in the state.
The Anambra State government is yet to issue an official response to the nurses’ demands. However, the NANNM leadership remains hopeful that their engagement with the authorities will yield positive results.
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