The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has asked the federal government to extend the retirement age of its members from 60 to 65 years.
The Association also asked for the review of the hazard allowance to members, in addition to providing them adequate security cover in the course of carrying out their duties.
The National President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi, in a speech at the Association’s 35th Annual Scientific Conference held in Calabar today, November 26, also demanded a review of professional allowance, shift duty, call duty, teaching and speciality allowances for members.
“We also call on the Federal Government to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure and extend the retirement age from 60-65 years and 70 years for health consultants.”
Nnachi was represented at the event by the 2nd Vice President of NANNM, Mrs. Blessing Isreal.
This was even as the National Chairman of the association, Wale Olatunde, called for the security of lives and property of nurses and midwives in the country.
Olatunde expressed concern that nurses in the country had suddenly become targets of attacks, mostly on their way to work and sometimes at their duty posts, especially by kidnappers.
According to him, considering the challenging environment in which nurses discharge their duties, there is need to protect them against all forms of security threats.
“As a professional health body, we call on government at all levels and security agencies to provide adequate security for nurses against violent attacks.
“With the level of insecurity in the country, most of our members have been kidnapped and made to face different forms of torture.
“At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were at the fore front of rendering healthcare to the patients.
“We lost some nurses in the process to the pandemic, while others recovered and went back to duty,” Olatunde said.
According to him, considering the challenging environment in which nurses discharge their duties, there is need to protect them against all forms of security threats.
“As a professional health body, we call on government at all levels and security agencies to provide adequate security for nurses against violent attacks.
“With the level of insecurity in the country, most of our members have been kidnapped and made to face different forms of torture.
“At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were at the fore front of rendering healthcare to the patients.
“We lost some nurses in the process to the pandemic, while others recovered and went back to duty,” Olatunde said.
The Chairperson of Nurses in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Mrs Eno Bassey-Okon
said that the conference would look at pertinent issues affecting the sector and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The Chairperson of the occasion and Wife of the Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mrs Imaobong Eteng-Williams, said that nurses and midwives play strategic role in healthcare delivery, especially for pregnant women.
“Nurses and midwives are invaluable asset to any health institution in the country.
“In spite of the challenging times and circumstances, nurses have always given out their best in healthcare delivery.”
“Nurses and midwives are invaluable asset to any health institution in the country.
“In spite of the challenging times and circumstances, nurses have always given out their best in healthcare delivery.”
Source: NAN.
