The University College Hospital chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives joined the nationwide seven-day warning strike called by the National Headquarters of the Association on Wednesday.

The UCH NANNM branch commenced the strike after their congress, and appealed to patients to bear with them.

Olufunmilola Faminu, branch chairperson of the association, explained that the strike was directed by the NANNM national headquarters after the federal government failed to meet their demands.

She stated that the association had requested the employment of more nursing personnel, the provision of adequate facilities for the various hospitals, and the establishment of a directorate cadre for nurses at the Federal Ministry of Health.

Other demands made by the association, she said, included fair representation of the association at the Federal Ministry of Health, centralisation of internship training for nurses, review of allowances for nurses and midwives, among others.

Ms Faminu, who expressed concern about the patients, said it was not their intention to abandon them.

“Sadly, we are so concerned about our patients; we don’t intend to leave them stranded without our care. Nurses provide compassionate, competent care across all settings. But we have no choice but to embark on this strike; we appeal to our patients to bear with us.

“This is a just course that we are fighting for. Nurses are the only ones embarking on this strike. There are other healthcare professionals around to attend to any emergency.

“The nationwide strike commenced officially at midnight on July 29, and it will end on August 5.  If our demands are not met after the warning strike, we will issue a 21-day ultimatum and proceed from there to an indefinite strike,” Ms Faminu said.

(NAN)