Ondo NANNM Urges Akeredolu To Recruit More Nurses

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State chapter, has appealed to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to employ more nurses into state-owned hospitals across the 18 local government areas.

The new Chairman of the state chapter of NANNM, Mr Kehinde Nomiye, made the appeal while taking the oath of office after his election in Akure on Thursday.

Nomiye, who was elected unopposed to succeed Mr Opeyemi Oloniyo, said various government’s health facilities in the state were currently understaffed with nurses and midwives, considering the volume of patients seeking medical services.

According to him, recruiting fresh nurses will fill the gap created by retiring health officers and those leaving for greener pastures, both within and outside the country.

Nomiye, who pledged to run an inclusive administration that would defend the interest of his members, commended the Akeredolu-led administration for its huge investment in the health sector.

He urged the governor to look into the various demands of nurses in the state for smooth service delivery at various government’s medical facilities.

“It is obvious that our members are being overworked due to shortage of nursing personnel. Indeed, the way nurses are retiring from service needs to be addressed with fresh hands.

“Although the state government has been complaining of lack of resources to meet the wage bill, we still hope something will be done about this soonest.

“Governor Akeredolu is trying his best for the health sector and the workers generally in the state by paying salaries regularly,” he said.

The NANNM chairman urged the government to domesticate the unified scheme of service for nurses which would allow members of the profession attain the peak of their career.

“Domestication of the federal circular on unified scheme of service and internship is very important and we, the leadership, are passionately requesting the government to domesticate the scheme approved for nurses and midwives at the 2016 National Council of Establishment,” he said.

Nomiye said the annual Nurses’ Week was aimed at celebrating nurses and midwives for their invaluable contributions to global health.

He commended members of the profession for dutifully discharging their duties in the face of challenges, saying their sacrifices were not without acknowledgment.

The NANNM chairman also cautioned members against unethical practices and professional misconducts in the discharge of their duties in the state.

Other officers elected during the delegates conference included Imorhoa Olutayo, Vice-Chairman;  Matthew Omolowo, Treasurer and Fagbemi Jeremiah, Public Relations Officer.

Others were Gideon Omoseebi, Auditor I; Samuel Dada, Auditor II and Bukunmi Adejayan, Financial Secretary.