By Christy Emeka
The nurses have reacted to the claim that they have called off their nationwide strike, saying that it is not true as they are still on it.
They made their stand known following the report by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, that nurses in public hospitals have suspended their warning strike.
The National Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions sector (NANNM-FHI), Omomo Tibiebi, speaking on behalf of the nurses, gave the clarification.
According to her,“The strike has not been suspended,” Tibiebi said. “Earlier today, NANNM executives held a meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, and it was the minister who went to the press to claim the strike had been called off.
“But he wasn’t the one who called the strike in the first place, so he has no right to declare it suspended. The strike is still on.”
He further disclosed that the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) would convene on Saturday to assess the Federal Government’s offers and decide the next line of action.
“There will be a NEC meeting tomorrow (Saturday), and that’s when a decision will be made. We will then determine if what the Federal Government has promised is sufficient for us to suspend the strike,” he added.
It would be recalled that the nurses embarked on the warning strike last Wednesday to press for several demands, including an upward review of shift allowances, adjustment of uniform allowances, and the establishment of a distinct salary structure for nurses, among others.
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