NANNM FROWNS AT THE MONOPOLISTIC DELEGATION OF ONDO STATE TO THE 2025 NATIONAL COUNCIL ON HEALTH MEETING HOLDING IN CROSS RIVER STATE
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Ondo State Council expresses deep grievances and displeasure regarding the composition of the Ondo State delegation to the 2025 National Council on Health (NCH) meeting currently holding at Calabar, Cross River State.
It is disheartening that the over ten (10) members delegation from Ondo State consists solely of Medical Doctors, to the complete exclusion of Nurses (which form more than 60% of health workforce) and other critical health professionals. This action presents a disturbing pattern of monopolization of representation within the State’s health sector and does not reflect the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare delivery.
The health sector is not the exclusive domain of Medical Doctors. It is a collaborative ecosystem comprising Nurses, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Community Health Practitioners, Radiographers, Health Information Officers, and other allied health professionals, all of whom play indispensable roles in ensuring effective, people-centred healthcare services across our hospitals and communities.
Unfortunately, the current delegation suggests a deliberate sidelining of these vital cadres who are equal stakeholders in health policy formulation and implementation. This is not only unacceptable, but it raises genuine concerns about fairness, equity, and transparency in the management of the State’s health system.
The deliberate boycott of other health professionals from such a high-level policy meeting is capable of:
- Deepening existing divisions within the health sector,
- Eroding inter-professional harmony.
- Triggering avoidable crises in the healthcare workforce.
- Weakening team spirit that is essential for quality service delivery, and
- Sending a wrongful signal that Ondo State does not value inclusiveness in health leadership.
Such an action contradicts the principles of collaboration and multi-sectoral approach promoted nationally and internationally, especially in forums like the National Council on Health where collective representation enriches policy decisions.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives therefore states unequivocally that the monopolistic nature of the Ondo State delegation is unacceptable and must be urgently reviewed to forestall future occurrences either in National Council on health or any sensitive Health Programs/Decision/Policy Making. The absence of other health professionals undermines the credibility of the State’s contribution to national health discourse and sends a troubling message to thousands of practitioners who diligently serve the State across all health facilities.
The continued peace and progress within the Ondo State health sector largely depend on fairness, inclusivity, and respect for all professions working tirelessly to sustain our healthcare system.
Signed;
Comrade Nurse Felix Akintobi Orobode
State Chairman
Comrade Nurse Lucky Aremu
State PRO/Ag Secretary
