…..Governor promises to meet Requests.
Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Ondo State Council, has on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to table some demands before him and invited him to the forthcoming 2024 NURSES’ WEEK Celebration.
The Association’s Chairman, Comrade (Nurse) Felix Orobode, who led the delegation which comprises members of the State Administrative Council, and Elders of the union, to pay the courtesy visit on Governor Aiyedatiwa
at his office in Alagbaka, Akure.
Comrade Orobode, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his efforts in putting smiles on the faces of Ondo State workers and the entire citizens, while thanking Hon. Aiyedatiwa for approving the new entry point for graduate nurses in the state.
The association’s Chairman however solicited additional welfare packages for nurses in the state to address the issue of brain drain.
Comrade Orobode listed some of the demands of the State Nurses to include but not limited to:
- Lateral conversion for Nurses who had their conversion done in 2023, and for subsequent conversion exercise, emphasizing that these nurses already held a diploma as Registered Nurses before earning their Bachelor of Nursing Science, rather than transitioning from other cadres to nursing.
- Approval and implementation of 100% CONHESS/CONMESS adjustment for all health workers in the state, as approved for Federal government workers in July 2023.
- The Association appeal to the State Governor not to succumb to any pressure which might cause disharmony within the health sector. Favouring one Profession over the others in the Health system should be avoided. All Professionals in the Health sector must be treated equally.
- The chairman applauded the governor for the ongoing recruitment to fill hospital vacancies across the state but urged for an acceleration of the process to mitigate the effects of short staffing.
- Regarding the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Teaching Hospital, Ondo, the association urged the governor to intervene in matters concerning the welfare and accommodation of the Nursing Department.
The association’s Leadership further assured the governor of her support in the upcoming November 2024 governorship election and reaffirmed their commitment to the health and welfare of Ondo State’s residents.
The Chairman used the opportunity to invite His Excellency to the year 2024 State Nurses’ Week celebration scheduled to hold in September. He equally appealed for the State support towards the week long activities.
In his response, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended the union for their visit and their dedication to his administration’s health policies.
The Governor assured them that their demands would be considered appropriately by various government’s organs, declaring that the processes of recruiting new health workers would soon be completed by the state government.
Thereafter, the Governor was presented with a portrait gift by the Association’s Chairman, Comr Nurse Orobode Felix, on behalf of the Ondo State Nurses as a mark of appreciation for various giant strides of Hon. Aiyedatiwa since he assumed office in the state.
On lateral conversion for nurses and situation at UNIMEDTH, the Governor said the State Head of Service would handle the issue with other government’s offices.
