Nigeria’s healthcare system is facing a severe crisis as the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) strike enters its fourth day. Public hospitals in major cities like Port Harcourt, Abuja, and Lagos are struggling to operate, with many wards lying empty and critical services severely disrupted.
At Abuja’s Wuse General Hospital, a visit revealed a stark scene: the female surgical ward, usually bustling with activity, was nearly deserted. Patients who remained were either lying quietly in bed or had been discharged prematurely due to the absence of nurses. One anxious mother shared the distressing experience of her son being discharged early because there weren’t enough nurses to provide proper care. She even had to dress her child’s leg wound herself, as the required medical procedure couldn’t be performed without nursing staff.
Despite the challenges, the mother expressed understanding for the nurses’ strike, acknowledging that they must have been driven to this point by the government. She emphasized the crucial role nurses, doctors, and teachers play in society and urged the government to address the nurses’ concerns.
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A similar situation was observed at the National Hospital in Abuja, where empty wards and minimal services were the norm. A doctor confirmed that most patients had been sent home due to the lack of nursing support, highlighting the strike’s significant impact on healthcare delivery.
At the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, there were empty wards and few services rendered as they joined the strike 2 days ago.
The strike has brought the relevance of Nurses in the health sector to light, in developed countries Nurses are compensated more than any other profession.
