The House of Representatives Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity has appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) to suspend their ongoing nationwide strike, citing its adverse impact on healthcare delivery across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Committee Chairman, Asiwaju (Dr.) Adegboyega Adefarati, the lawmakers acknowledged the vital role nurses and midwives play in Nigeria’s healthcare system but urged them to reconsider their stance in the broader interest of national development.
“At this critical period of our nation’s economic transformation, it is imperative that we prioritize the collective interests of all Nigerians,” Adefarati stated. He added that while the Committee deeply empathizes with the nurses’ and midwives’ grievances, continued industrial action threatens to cripple an already strained health sector.
The Committee emphasized that the strike—now in its third day—has significantly disrupted health services nationwide, leaving many patients without access to care and placing additional burdens on already overworked medical personnel.
“The ongoing nationwide strike has significantly disrupted healthcare services across the country,” the statement noted. “While we recognize the importance of addressing the legitimate grievances of our health professionals, we urge the leadership of Nigerian nurses and midwives to consider the aggregate interest of all Nigerians.”
Adefarati confirmed that the Ministers of Labour and Health are currently engaging the leadership of the striking union in dialogue aimed at resolving the impasse. He urged the union to embrace the opportunity for negotiation in good faith.
“We believe that through constructive engagement and mutual understanding, we can achieve balanced outcomes that respect the needs of our health workers while safeguarding the health rights and well-being of all Nigerians,” he said.
The Committee concluded its statement by calling on the union to show leadership and patriotism by suspending the strike, assuring them of the National Assembly’s continued commitment to addressing their concerns through legislative oversight and policy reform.
The Nigerian Nurses and Midwives commenced the seven-day nationwide strike on Tuesday, July 29, over unmet welfare demands, including improved working conditions, salary adjustments, and recruitment of more personnel.
Leave a Reply