Nurses in Ondo State have urged the state government to review their salary structure in line with what has been done for other professionals in the health sector, warning that the disparity could lead to disharmony within the system.
The nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Ondo State Chapter, expressed their concerns at the 2024 Ondo Nurses Week/Scientific Conference, held in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The event, themed “Our Nurses, Our Future: The Economic Power of Care”, saw the nurses calling for urgent action from the state government.
The state chairman of NANNM, Akintobi Orobode, lamented that while the salary structure of doctors in the state had recently been reviewed to match that of their counterparts at the federal level, other health workers, including nurses, were left out.
“Two months ago, we learned that the salary structure for doctors in the state was reviewed to be on par with that of the Federal Government, leaving out the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, which applies to other health workers.
“This can create disharmony. We are all working towards improving patients’ lives, and no one profession should be seen as superior. When the government gives preferential treatment to one group, it can lead to tension,” he said.
He emphasized the crucial role nurses play in the healthcare system, pointing out that they are the ones who stay with patients 24 hours a day, making them the most vulnerable to attacks by patients or their relatives.
“When nurses refuse to work, what can doctors do alone? And when doctors are absent, nurses cannot work effectively. This is why we are appealing to the government to act swiftly before a crisis erupts in the healthcare sector,” he added.
While commending Aiyedatiwa for his continued support for the nursing profession, Orobode expressed confidence that the governor would heed their appeal.
He revealed that the association had already submitted a formal letter to the governor regarding the salary structure review and was awaiting a response.
Reacting to the nurses’ demands, the Special Adviser on Health Matters, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, assured that the state government had already set plans in motion to review the salary structure of all health workers, bringing it in line with that of the federal system.
“The review process is ongoing, and the government is working to finalize it. Governor Aiyedatiwa is committed to ensuring the happiness and welfare of all workers, particularly in the health sector,” Odimayo stated.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, urged the nurses to continue engaging with the ministry on their concerns. He reassured them that the government would prioritize the welfare of nurses, stressing the importance of teamwork and synergy within the healthcare system.
Ajaka praised the collaboration between nurses and other health professionals, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving the well-being of all Ondo State residents.
