Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have expressed distress over unbearable workloads and protest against promotion exclusion.
Nurses at the Federal Medical Centre in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday, sounded the alarm on harsh working conditions, claiming that of some colleagues collapsing on duty due to overwhelming workloads.
The protest, organized by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, highlights acute manpower shortages and claims of exclusion from the recent 2023 promotions within the institution.
During the demonstration on the hospital’s premises, nurses called for the management to address issues such as promotion arrears, staff shortages, and other rights.
The protest was marked by peaceful demonstrations with nurses carrying placards bearing messages like “Stop selective promotion” and “Nurses’ lives matter.”
National President of NANNM, Michael Nnachi, previously emphasized the loss of members to other countries due to inadequate wages and poor working conditions.
More than 75,000 NANNM members have reportedly migrated abroad in the past five years.
According to the NANNM Chairman, FMC Abeokuta chapter, Olufimilola Adekunle, over 200 nurses from the hospital have relocated abroad, leaving less than 300 to manage the daily influx of patients.
She pointed out that the shortage has led to nurses collapsing on duty and contributed to the deaths of two colleagues.
Adekunle stated, “Our next action is to down tools. We are going to write them and stop working because, in the past months, we have seen our nurses collapsing.” The nurses also demanded the release of promotional examination papers, disputing the claim that many failed.
Responding to the protest, the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Kunle Adediran, acknowledged the nurses’ dedication but mentioned that decisions regarding promotions were beyond the hospital’s control.
He promised to write to the Federal Government to review decisions and address concerns raised by the nurses.
Adediran also addressed concerns about allowances, citing economic challenges affecting the country.
He assured the nurses that the delayed uniform allowance for 2023 would be processed soon.
Regarding the workforce challenges, Adediran disclosed that the Federal Government had granted the hospital approval to employ more nurses and doctors to alleviate the burden on the existing staff.
He stated, “Management is doing everything to make sure we employ more nurses to help reduce their burden.”
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