The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI), has dismissed reports claiming that it has called off its ongoing nationwide warning strike.
Omomo Tibiebi, the union’s National Public Relations Officer, told Punch that the seven-day strike, which started on Wednesday, July 30, remains in effect despite a meeting earlier today with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Tibiebi clarified, “The strike has not been suspended. Earlier, NANNM executives met with Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate, who went to the press announcing the strike’s end. However, since he did not initiate the strike, he has no authority to call it off. The strike is therefore still active.”
He added that the union’s National Executive Council will hold a meeting tomorrow (Saturday) to review the Federal Government’s commitments and determine the next steps.
“We will meet tomorrow to evaluate if the government’s promises are adequate to warrant suspending the strike,” Tibiebi stated.
The nurses launched the strike to demand long-standing issues such as increased shift and uniform allowances, a distinct salary structure for nurses, higher core duty allowances, mass recruitment, and the creation of a dedicated nursing department within the Federal Ministry of Health, among other requests.
