Calabar – The Cross River State Ministry of Health has affirmed its commitment to collaborate closely with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Cross River chapter. This collaboration aims to address workforce shortages and enhance healthcare services within the state NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The assurance came from Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Commissioner for Health, during a recent courtesy visit to his office in Calabar by a delegation of NANNM executive members.
Dr. Ayuk emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the Ministry and the Nurses Union, aligning with the government’s determination to revitalize the state’s healthcare sector. He assured the delegation that comprehensive plans were underway to address nurses’ concerns in public health facilities. This includes enhancing staff welfare, implementing a new salary structure, introducing hazard allowances, and conducting workload analyses, all with the aim of bolstering the healthcare sector.
The Commissioner also pledged to forward NANNM’s requests to the appropriate authorities and expressed confidence in the government’s prompt action.
Dr. (Mrs.) Pauline Obute, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, who is also a professional nurse, referred to NANNM as her immediate constituency. She expressed optimism in the collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Association, with the aim of advancing the nursing profession.
Josephine Bassey, Chairman of NANNM, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and commended him for accommodating their visit despite short notice. She described him as a well-suited leader with extensive experience, which she believed would drive the sector forward.
Bassey highlighted the challenging state of health facilities in the state, exacerbated by staffing shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. She appealed for increased staff recruitment to address these gaps and advocated for higher hazard allowances for nurses, the implementation of promotions and incremental steps, continuous training, provision of operational vehicles, proper constitution of health colleges, and consideration of nurses for leadership roles.
Additionally, she drew attention to the deduction of members’ checkoff dues without remittance and the proliferation of unlicensed health institutions, urging swift government intervention.
Bassey concluded by expressing NANNM’s willingness to collaborate with the Ministry to enhance healthcare service delivery in the state.
