The Chairperson of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, FETHI, Ekiti State, Ajayi Folaranmi Bamitale, has revealed that her union members are not participating in the on-going industrial action embarked upon by some workers’ unions in the Hospital.
The Chairperson, who gave the indication in an interview with Roundoffnews in her office, said it is the workers’ unions under the Joint Health Workers’ Unions, JOHESU, in the hospital that are on strike but members of her union are not participating in it.
In her words, “JOHESU is actually on strike, but the nurses are not on strike. The nurses are currently working and are willing to work. We are seeing our patients as expected without any hitch. We were once members of JOHESU, but right now we have pulled out of JOHESU nationally.”
A visit to the various wards by Roundoffnews correspondent showed that nurses and doctors were on duty attending to patients without hitch.
The Chairperson appealed to out-patients and other categories of people who are for one treatment or another not to hesitate to come to the hospital, stressing that the atmosphere is conducive and nurses are on ground to attend to them.
Reacting to the situation, the Director, Nursing Services, Grace Olajide appealed to the striking workers to sheathe their swords in the interest of the patients and others who want to access treatment at the hospital.
She advised the unions to seek amicable resolution to the industrial action.
Olajide revealed that the hospital was partially paralyzed, but the doctors and nurses are working.
“Patients are in their wards receiving treatment, and facilities to ensure that services are not crippled are functioning.
“The management did not compromise the comfort and wellbeing of the patients.” She said