NANNM raises alarm on upgrading of cottage Hospital Hong

By Kissinger Bukhar

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives in Adamawa state have raised alarm that the upgrading of Cottage Hospital Hong to Federal Medical Center and Federal Medical Center Yola to University Teaching Hospital will attract nurses and midwives if salaries and other entitlement and welfare are improved by the state government.

This was the position raised during its validatory congress meeting held at the Nurses House in Jimeta, Saturday.

Speaking in an interview, the state Chairman of the association, Comrade Ijaida Joseph ijabula, commended the state government for giving consideration for upward review of salaries of nurses and midwives in the state noting that approval and implementation should be prompt to avoid brain drain.

He said nurses in the state have appreciated the efforts of the state government in improving on health facilities in the state, provision of drugs and hospital equipment as well as recruitment of health workers including nurses and midwives.

The chairman said the gesture will enable the members of the union to compliment government effort to improve on health care delivery.

Speaking on the matter, Public Relations Officer of the association, Comrade Mani Magaji explained that stringent measures need to be taken to consolidate on current Government effort towards repositioning of the health sector.

He said nurses in the state are grossly inadequate considering the number of health facilities in the state adding that this is has further threatened by the current realities on ground.

The resolution of the meeting which was contained in a communiqué mentioned to areas of concern as rose by the leadership of the association and appealed to government to take urgent measures to check the trend.

In his remark during a dinner organized to host and appreciate the executive members of various chapters of the association, the state chairman, Comrade Ijaida Joseph ijabula noted that his executive members have been building on the legacies of past leaders of the association.

He commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for securing employment to about two hundred nurses and other health workers, procurement of drugs and other hospital equipment through rehabilitation and construction of health facilities in Adamawa.

While applauding government effort in the establishment of Contributory Health scheme in the state, the chairman of the association said nurses in the state are least paid and expressed worry that with the upgrading of the Federal Medical Center to University Teaching Hospital will attract about seven hundred nurses and midwives currently on government payroll.

In a remark, a Permanent Secretary and Executive Secretary of Moslem Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Comrade Abubakar Salihu noted that leaders of NANNM have moved the association to greater heights and commended the present executive for keeping the trend of development in the association.

Chief Felix Tangwami and Comrade Anthony Vakuru, who gave their good will message, called for immortalization of past leaders of the association considering the development recorded over a period of time.

The ceremony also featured award of recognition to some past leaders of the association.