The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM,has lamented the state of economy, regretting that Nigeria was getting increasingly difficult for human survival in terms of socio-economic conditions in a country that is endowed with natural resources.
This was as the association regretted that nurses and midwives in the country have never been recognized for a pride of place in policy making matters, hospital board membership and political appointment.
NANNM President,Comrade Michael Nnachi,who said these in an address he delivered during the National Executive Council, NEC meeting of the body in Abuja, Wednesday,noted that nurses and midwives have been on the forefront of health care during disease outbreaks without adequate protection, recognition, or support.
The meeting,he explained,was convened to deliberate on the critical issues which include but not limited to “our working environment, safety, well-being, adequate compensation for work done, desirable tools to work with, protection against outbreaks of diseases and above all insurance of our livelihood wherever we find ourselves.”
Other issues that were addressed at the meeting were the reopening of portal for verification of credentials of nurses and midwives, creation of department of nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health, and other related matters.
“Let us not pretend while dying in silence, the country is getting increasingly difficult for human survival in terms of socio-economic conditions in a country that is endowed with natural resources.
“Nigeria Nurses and Midwives have never been recognized for a pride of place in policy making matters, hospital board membership and political appointment. We have been on the forefront of health care during disease outbreaks without adequate protection, recognition, or support.
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“There is crisis of burnout and staff shortages due to brain-drain, exhaustion, and moral distress,”he said at the event.
Nnachi described nurses and midwives as “the backbone of the healthcare system, patient’s advocates, and champions for change in the field that touches every aspect of human life, from birth to death.”
He spoke further:Despite the strategic position we occupy in the health sector, we have refused to apply the force of power of our strength, during political activities in the country in pretense that we shall be remembered by the political leaders of our dear country.
“Let me remind you that all is not well for Nigeria nurses and midwives, from all aspect of human assessment and evaluation.
“We must rise up as leaders and the only voice of the voiceless to challenge unending challenges, unfavorable policies by government, protect the rights of Nigeria nurses and midwives, promote the well-being of members of the Association, and upholding the ethics of the Nursing profession in areas of practices.
“We should guide our profession jealously and fight against all odds that will weaken our strength or keep us divided.
“Say no to division, say no to disunity and embrace team work for progressive achievements, sustainability, and protection of the future generation of nurses and midwives in the country and beyond.
We are gathered here today to deliberate on the critical issues which include but not limited to our working environment, safety, well-being, adequate compensation for work done, desirable tools to work with, protection against outbreaks of diseases and above all insurance of our livelihood wherever we find ourselves, reopening of portal for verification of credentials of Nurses and Midwives, creation of department of nursing at the Federal Ministry of Health, and other related matters, which at the end of our deliberation to decide the way forward.
Let us not pretend while dying in silence, the country is getting increasingly difficult for human survival in terms of socio-economic conditions in a country that is endowed with natural resources.
Nigeria Nurses and Midwives have never been recognized for a pride of place in policy making matters, hospital board membership and political appointment. We have been on the forefront of health care during disease outbreaks with adequate protection, recognition, or support.
There is crisis of burnout and staff shortages due to brain-drain, exhaustion, and moral distress.
As many nurses are leaving the profession due to overwhelming workloads, inadequate staff, and the emotional tool of providing care under constant pressure. Rather than positively address the issue of brain drain, what we saw is a theoretic policy document that cannot positively address challenges of Nigeria nurses and midwives.
He tasked members to continue to demand for decent environment that respect, recognize and value the nurses, employ the teaming population of unemployed nurses, whose well-being are integral to the healthcare needs of the nation.
“We must improve on education and research,social advocacy,media visibility,push hard for changes in the health sector,involvement in policy matters,push for increased access to high-quality affordable health care,”he advised members.
Nnachi also called on members to join politics,
protect the future of the profession,embrace innovation and collaboration,keep abreast of changes and research,support one another as well as promote healthcare under one roof.
“I call on all of us to rise to the challenges faced by members, be bold in our demands till tangible results are achieved,”he added.