Taiwo Popoola
Nurses in Anambra State, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Anambra State chapter, have protested against their poor working conditions in government-owned health institutions in the state.
The nurses staged the protest during an interactive forum they organized at their residential quarters, known as Nurses House, located in Okpuno, within the state capital, to engage with their state leadership, whom they charged with taking their message to the state government.
The nurses complained, among other things, about the poor implementation of their salary structure, known as CONHESS, stating that their pay remains the lowest among all neighboring states.
Addressing the state chairperson of NANNM, Mrs Edith Onwuka, the nurses took turns expressing their grievances about the challenges they face in carrying out their duties.
They said: “We have never been paid more than 60 percent of our salary, even with the current minimum wage increment.
“Some of us work in hospitals with over 80 patients in a ward originally meant for 20 beds, making it extremely difficult for health workers to operate in such an environment.
“To date, our hazard allowance remains N3,000, as against the N30,000 statutory amount that is supposed to be paid,” they lamented.
The group appealed to the state government, through the Commissioner for Health, to heed their cry for help and intervene, as their dire working conditions continue to worsen daily.
State chairperson of NANNM, Mrs Onwuka, who listened to the nurses, assured them that the leadership would reach out to the state government to resolve all pending issues.
She pleaded for patience among the members of the group, stating that a meeting had been scheduled with the relevant authorities, expressing hope that their concerns would be addressed.
