Nurses and midwives on Wednesday raised the alarm over massive migration of qualified members to federal and foreign health institutions as a result of poor remunerations in Anambra state.
The nurses, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Anambra State Council, regretted that shortage of their members in both general hospitals and primary healthcare centers had negatively affected health care delivery in the state.
In a statement signed by the Chairman NANNM/JPSNC, Comrade Onwuka Edith, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to invest in nursing to ensure quality health care delivery to make creation of liveable homeland for the state a reality.
The statement was issued with the theme, “Nurses; a voice to lead investment in Nursing and Respect the Right to Global Health”, to mark International Nurses Week.
It also called for review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which it noted had suffered poor implementation in the state.
The statement reads in part, “Nurses and midwives being promoters of health shows appreciation with your move in cleaning Okpoko which had always been the epicenter for disease outbreak due to environmental pollution and degradation.
“We have also seen your commitment in cleaning up the rest of the cities which we commend in a special way as it will reduce disease outbreak like cholera, diarrhea, measles etc.
“We wish to appeal to His Excellency, Mr Governor to look into the issues affecting Nurses especially now that you are taking stock of challenges in different ministries, MDA’s and parastatals.
“Poor remuneration of nurses and midwives has led to mass migration of highly qualified nurses to either federal health institutions or outside the country in search for greener pastures.
“This has affected the healthcare delivery adversely as the small number of nurses that remains are overwhelmed by work in our hospitals.
“It is important to review the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which has not been properly implemented in the state; the said CONHESS 60% is on paper but not properly and fully reflected in the implementation.
“We humbly request for not only the full implementation of 60% CONHESS but upward review to 100% CONHESS for nurses in the state and local government (PHCs).
“Shortage of nurses and midwives in both general hospitals and primary health care centers; this gross shortage affects the health care delivery with attendant negative consequences.
“Implementation of new hazard allowance (N32000) per nurse which was recently reviewed as result of Covid 19 pandemic,” they stated.