The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions (FHI) Sector, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike over the alleged victimisation of its members at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna State.
In a letter addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the union accused the hospital’s management of victimising union officials, failing to implement a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and creating an atmosphere of industrial unrest.
The association warned that unless its demands are met by July 29, it would have no option but to commence a nationwide warning strike.
Among its demands are the immediate reinstatement of its suspended unit chairman, the reversal of the alleged demotion of three nurses, full implementation of the earlier MoU, and an independent investigation into what it described as anti-union practices within the hospital.
According to the union, the suspended unit chairman was sanctioned after providing temporary accommodation for nursing students on clinical posting who had been stranded.
“It is our considered view that this humanitarian action should have attracted commendation rather than punishment,” the association stated.
NANNM also alleged that the hospital’s Medical Director had failed to implement the agreement reached following an earlier industrial dispute, despite the intervention of the Federal Government.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of the dispute, the union cautioned that failure to address the issues raised within the stipulated 15-day period would compel it to proceed with the planned three-day nationwide warning strike.