The strike is in response to the federal government's failure to address the nurses' grievances, including low pay, insufficient allowances, and general neglect of the nursing sector.
NANNM-FHI demands include:
- Increased salaries and allowances
- 4% increase in core duty allowances
- Funds for equipment
- Increased uniform allowances
- Reconstitution of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Board
- Increased nursing workforce
- Separate department in the Ministry of Health
The nurses lamented the poor working conditions, including:
- Uniform allowance of ₦20,000 per year, despite high intensive use
- Shift allowances of 6.8%, instead of the 30% stipulated in a 2009 circular
- Understaffing and underemployment of nurses
The strike will commence at 12:01 am on Wednesday, with no emergency services available. The Ministry of Health has yet to respond to requests for comment.