By Matthew Denis
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANM) Kwara State council has called on Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman to address some lingering issues confronting the association.
The challenges are gross shortage of nurses and midwives, poor remuneration for members, inadequate working equipment in hospitals, non-implementation of 10 percent increase on the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for their members at local government councils.
Others are renovation and funding of school of midwifery Ilorin, colleges of Nursing Oke-Ode and Ilorin, amelioration of sufferings of local government pensioners, and settling identity crisis of nurses’ uniforms being adulterated by dental technicians in the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by the state Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Joseph Adekanye and made available to this medium on Wednesday.
The statement reads: ” We have very scanty specialties in our health facilities and the resultant effect has led to abnormal shifting system with severe adverse reactions on our members such as overbearing workload, unwarranted stress and collapse of caregivers on duties.
“It is our plea that the government will look at these present deplorable situations and take drastic step in employing more nurses and midwives into the system.
“The poor remuneration is sympathetic which a newly double qualified nurses/Midwives in Oyo and Niger states earns CONHESS N105, 478.58 per month while same status earns N55,059.76 in Kwara State public service.
“The state government nurses and midwives in June 2018 have been enjoying the approved 10 percent increase of CONHESS leaving the workers at the council’s level about 13 months ago. We look unto you to bring succour to this category of workers.
“We seek for your intervention on funding of colleges of Nursing in Ilorin and Oke Ode, School of Midwifery to curb shortage of human resources in the state health facilities.
“We are also appealing to you to put a ban on the illegal wearing of the white uniform easily identify to be for nurses and midwives by the dental health technicians in both public and private health facilities in the state.
“On the payment of pension and gratuity we appeal to the Governor to ameliorate the plight of senior citizens to a minimum level. We also solicit for the treatment of one of our member, Mrs. Alabi Aishat Titilayo who needs kidney transplantation at the cost of N8 million.
“It is our desire to collaborate with your government to restructure the facilities in the health system for the benefit of the populace as we therefore crown you as the grand life patron of the association,” the statement added.
