The strike is still on - Nurses counter FG

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has confirmed that its industrial action remains in effect.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, had announced that the association has called off its wãrning strìke.

Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Friday, Pate said the decision followed agreements reached between the government and the association’s leadership.

But when contacted, the association’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said it wasn’t true the strìke had been called off.

“If it was the Minister who organized the strìke, then he could call it off. As far as I’m concerned, the strìke organized by the association is still ongoing. The Minister didn’t organize the strìke, so he doesn’t have the authority to call it off.

“There are procedures to follow, if it is to be called off at all,” Rilwan told Newsmen via telephone.

On Wednesday, the nurses began a seven-day nationwide wãrning strìke. The strike, according to NANNM’s leadership, addresses issues including poor remuneration, staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions.

This strìke comes amid an existing face-off between doctors and the government over welfare and other issues, as reported by Newsmen.

The nurses’ stríke, which followed the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued by NANNM to the federal government, has disrupted healthcare services across Nigeria.