The nurses, operating under the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) at the hospital, issued the ultimatum during a protest over what they described as persistent deficiencies in the facility’s infrastructure, equipment and working environment.
One of the concerns raised by the association was that three hospital wards reportedly had to share a single blood pressure monitoring device, with staff queuing to use the equipment for routine clinical assessments.
The nurses argued that such shortages were unacceptable in a specialised healthcare facility expected to provide continuous care to patients.
In a list of demands, the association called for the immediate provision of manual and digital blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, cardiac monitors, thermometers, weighing scales and glucometers, among other essential medical equipment.
It also requested oxygen cylinders for the wards, emergency and resuscitation trays, essential emergency supplies and adequate medicines for patients.
The association further called for the provision of bedspreads, a reliable electricity supply and adequate access to clean water, noting that the reported shortcomings placed additional pressure on healthcare workers and could undermine effective service delivery.
Beyond equipment shortages, the nurses called for the recruitment and deployment of specialist personnel in accident and emergency, perioperative, psychiatric, intensive care and midwifery services.
They also demanded an end to what they described as single-qualified staffing arrangements and urged management to provide regular training and retraining programmes to improve staff competence and patient care.
Another issue raised was the reported absence of DStv subscriptions in the hospital wards for more than eight months.
The association argued that access to television programmes could support diversional therapy by providing entertainment and helping to alleviate boredom among patients receiving psychiatric treatment.
According to the nurses, adequate equipment, sufficient staffing, reliable electricity and clean water are necessary for patient safety, infection prevention and control, staff welfare and effective healthcare delivery.
They urged the hospital management to take concrete steps to resolve the identified problems within the 21-day deadline.
The association warned that failure to address the concerns could leave healthcare personnel working under avoidable pressure and affect the timely and safe delivery of services to patients.
The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Aro branch, has also expressed support for the action.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, the branch president, Ojewande Oluwafemi, confirmed that both unions were aligned on the ultimatum.
“Today is the second day. Both unions are on the same page on the ultimatum because we are working,” he said.
The nurses maintained that urgent intervention by the hospital management was necessary to improve working conditions, strengthen healthcare services and safeguard the welfare of patients and staff.
