The Ondo State Government has urged nurses in the state to reconsider their decision to embark on an indefinite strike over alleged neglect of their welfare.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Ondo State chapter, had declared the strike on Thursday, citing the government’s failure to address their demands.
Expressing disappointment, NANNM Chairman, Felix Orobode, accused the state government of failing to prioritize nurses’ welfare despite their essential role in healthcare delivery.
Reacting to the development, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, stated that the government was taken aback by the strike announcement, insisting that no outstanding disputes justified such action.
Philip clarified that nurses, like other public servants in the health sector, had recently benefited from a salary adjustment following the implementation of the ₦73,000 minimum wage approved by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in November 2024.
He further explained that in January 2025, health workers, excluding medical doctors, met with the government to push for the full implementation of the CONHESS Salary Table.
In response, Governor Aiyedatiwa instructed officials to assess the financial implications for his consideration.
Philip emphasized that while this process was ongoing, it should not interfere with the timely payment of January 2025 salaries. .
He, therefore, appealed to the striking nurses to reconsider their stance.
“Government calls on the nurses to shelve their planned industrial action as there is no justification for it. Nurses are aware of the government’s efforts and should allow reason to prevail,” he stated.
He also warned that the government would not condone any disruptions to healthcare services and urged nurses in both general and specialist hospitals to abandon the strike.
