Nigerian nurses reject government circular on allowances

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions (NANNM-FHI), has rejected a recent circular issued by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

Penpushing reports that the association said the circular failed to recognise the important contributions of nurses, who account for between 60 and 70 per cent of the healthcare workforce

The association criticised the circular number SWC/S/04/S.218/III/646 dated 27 June and titled “Review of Allowances for Medical/Dental Officers in the Federal Public Service’, for excluding nurses from key allowance revisions

Penpushing further reports that the body rising from an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said the exclusion of nurses was unfair and dismissive of their role in federal health institutions.

The President of the association Morakinyo-Olajide Rilwan, said the circular failed to recognise the important contributions of nurses, who account for between 60 and 70 per cent of the healthcare workforce.

Pepushing also reports that Rilwan pointed out that the circular was issued without prior consultation with the association, in spite of its impact on a major segment of healthcare professionals.

The President added that the document did not address critical allowances due to nurses, including shift, uniform, specialist, call duty, and retention allowances.

“Nurses run intensive shifts, spending extended hours with patients and their relatives. Yet, our current shift allowance is just 8.5 per cent of our salary, despite a 2009 circular approving 30 per cent of basic salary,” he said.

Penpushing reports that association boss added that nurses are required to change uniforms multiple times daily due to the nature of their duties, stressing that uniform allowance should reflect this reality.

The President stated that uniforms are essential and not optional, stressing that at a minimum, the nurses need three uniforms a week, lamenting that the selective application of the specialist allowance is discriminatory and unfair to nurses with specialist qualifications.

Penpushing further reports that he noted that nursing includes several specialist cadres who deserve equal treatment, and called on the Nigerian government to prioritise the retention of trained nurses, who are increasingly migrating abroad in search of better conditions.

The President of the association boasted that Nigeria has the nurses, but losing them due to poor welfare and policy neglect, and therefore, urged the government to reconstitute the Governing Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

Penpushing also reports that he said it had remained dormant for years, adding that nurses must equally be included in the boards of Federal Health Institutions, as they represent the largest workforce in the sector.

The President expressed concern over the removal of nurse educators, especially those on grade levels 7 and 8, from clinical duties, in spite of their role in training student nurses, stating that the same circular states that trainers should be paid, yet, those training others are being sidelined.

Penpushing reports that he demanded internship placements for university-trained nurses to enable them to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), recommending a centralised system to ensure uniformity and quality.

The President in same vein called for the creation of a Department of Nursing within the Federal Ministry of Health, noting that while there is a Director of Nursing, there is no actual department

“While we have a Director of Nursing, there is no actual department. There should be directorates for training, statistics, and clinical practice within that framework,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that Rilwan said the association is open to engagement and dialogue with the government and would allow time for an appropriate response, however, he warned that failure to act could lead to industrial action.

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