Kogi Nurses Commend Governor Ododo, List Seven Urgent Issues Affecting Healthcare Delivery
Kogi nurses praise Governor Ododo but highlight seven key challenges including staff shortage, poor welfare, and brain drain affecting healthcare services.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has commended Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his commitment to improving the welfare of civil servants, while drawing attention to critical challenges affecting nurses at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Monday, the Chairman of NANNM at the hospital, Comrade Francis Eneojo Obaje, also congratulated the governor on his participation at the recent National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, describing his presence as impactful.
Despite the commendation, the association outlined seven pressing concerns requiring urgent government intervention to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Top on the list is the growing migration of skilled nurses seeking better opportunities elsewhere, a trend the association said is weakening service delivery. This, according to NANNM, has contributed to a shortage of personnel, leaving the hospital understaffed and in need of immediate recruitment of qualified nurses and midwives.
The association also raised concerns over the exclusion of nurses from motivation allowances currently extended to some professional groups, urging the state government to ensure inclusiveness in welfare packages.
Additionally, NANNM called for the implementation of uniform allowances as approved by the National Income, Salaries and Wages Commission, as well as increased investment in training and capacity development through sponsorship for conferences, seminars, and other professional engagements.
The association further appealed for greater representation of nurses in governance, including appointments into the state executive council and leadership roles within ministries, departments, and agencies.
It also stressed the need for the proper implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for nurses to promote equity, alongside the timely financial implementation of recent promotions to boost morale and productivity.
Comrade Obaje noted that addressing these issues would not only improve working conditions for nurses but also enhance the overall quality of healthcare services in the state. He expressed confidence in the administration’s willingness to respond positively to the concerns raised.