The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Health Institutions (FHI) Sector, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The association threatened to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike if the alleged victimisation of its members at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, Kaduna, is not addressed by July 29.
The ultimatum, which takes effect from July 15 to July 29, demands the immediate reversal of disciplinary actions against some members and the full implementation of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
It also demands an investigation into alleged anti-union practices and decisive steps to restore industrial harmony at the hospital.
NANNM-FHI issued the ultimatum in a letter addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare. The letter was jointly signed by its National Chairman, Comrade Morakinyo Rilwan, and National Secretary, Comrade Enya Osinachi.
The association accused the management of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Barnawa, of sustained intimidation, victimisation and unfair treatment of nurses and elected union officials.
One of its major grievances is the suspension of the hospital’s NANNM Unit Chairman after he provided temporary accommodation at the union secretariat for nursing students on clinical posting who were reportedly stranded due to lack of accommodation.
The union described the action as humanitarian, arguing that the responsibility for providing accommodation for students on clinical posting rests with the hospital management.
It maintained that the official deserved commendation rather than disciplinary action.
NANNM also condemned the unjust demotion of the Unit Public Relations Officer and two other members from CONHESS 13 to CONHESS 12 without any justifiable reason.
It added that the decision was punitive and had adversely affected the welfare and morale of the affected officers.
The association further alleged that the Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital had failed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding reached after an earlier industrial dispute and signed in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
It said the refusal to honour the agreement undermines the credibility of government-mediated dispute resolution mechanisms and weakens confidence in the collective bargaining process.
The union also expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the current Medical Director.
It alleged that her administration has continued to fuel industrial unrest through persistent victimisation of union officials, intimidation of workers and disregard for agreements reached with labour representatives.
It said the development has eroded the confidence of the FHI Sector in the Medical Director’s ability to sustain peaceful labour-management relations.
As part of its demands, the association urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to immediately lift the suspension of the Unit Chairman and restore all his rights and privileges, while reversing the demotion of the affected officers and restoring them to their appropriate CONHESS grade levels with all accrued benefits.
It also called for the immediate implementation of all provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed before the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The association further urged the ministry to review the continued suitability of the current Medical Director to head the institution in view of the prevailing industrial relations challenges.
While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and peaceful resolution of labour disputes, NANNM warned that failure by the ministry to address the issues within the 15-day ultimatum would leave it with no alternative but to embark on a three-day warning strike.
The association said it expects the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to treat the matter with urgency in the interest of industrial peace and uninterrupted quality healthcare service delivery across the country.
