NANNM decry dearth of health workers in Kwara
By Matthew Denis
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has
decried the inadequate health personnel in Kwara State.
Hence, it called on the Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman-led government
to address the problem in a bid to achieve qualitative healthcare
delivery in the state.
The first Vice President, NANNM, Mrs. Margret Akinsola in an
interview with newsmen during the 9th Kwara State Delegates Congress,
Election of NANNM, held in Ilorin on Friday, called on the Governor
to give automatic employment to graduates of nurses and midwives
colleges in the state.
Akinsola, who led the electoral team from NANNM Headquarters, Abuja,
said, ” The election for new NANNM executives in Kwara council was
conducted successful, but the only problem I see is that we don’t
have enough nurses to participate in this delegates’ conference
because of the dearth in manpower.
“There are not enough nurses and midwives in the state health
facilities so bringing them to fill this hall to capacity is not
possible now because they can’t leave their jobs but we have
representatives from all the units that made up Kwara State NANNM.
“The election for new executives who will pilot affairs of the
association towards taking it to greater height, was conducted in a
free and fair atmosphere.
” I’m calling and pleading with the Kwara State government to focus on
employing nurses and midwives because a healthy nation means a wealthy
people which is most paramount to any society.
” The government can achieve this by giving automatic employment to
graduates of schools of nursing and midwives in the state, ” she
added.
The vice president also urged the state government to ensure welfare
of health workers to prevent brain drain in the sector.
According to her, “graduate nurses and midwives are roaming the
streets in need of employment and many others are leaving for other
countries that can give them employment.”
In his remarks, the immediate past Kwara State Chairman of NANNM,
Comrade Joseph Ademola Adekanye appealed to the state government for
the approval of 10 percent CONHESS for nurses working at the Local
Governments in the state.
He also tasked the the newly elected executives to adhere to ethics of
the profession and carry every member along in their activities.
The newly elected executives are Mr. Sheu Aminu as Chairman; Hamzat
Rabiu, Vice Chairman and Aina Emmanuel as Treasure.
Others are Ogunleye Tina as Financial Secretary; Mr. Jimoh R.I,
Auditor1; Ayinla Kazeem, Auditor 2, and Ajetunmobi S. M as Public
Relations Officer.