The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has called on the Nasarawa State Government to prioritise the welfare and protection of health workers, alongside upgrading healthcare infrastructure to foster economic growth and address the growing brain drain in the sector.
National President of the Association, Comrade Haruna Mamman, made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the National Nurses Week and Summit held in Lafia. The event was themed: “Our Nurses, Our Future: Caring for Nurses, Strengthens the Economy.”
The weeklong celebration brought together nurses and health workers from across the state to honour the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, for her contributions to healthcare and sanitation.
In his address, Comrade Mamman described nurses as indispensable to the delivery of quality healthcare services. Represented by Comrade Obadiah Avre, he emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive policy framework that ensures a safe and supportive working environment for health workers.
Also speaking, the Nasarawa State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Avre Attah Ayaka, raised concerns over the continued migration of nurses and other health professionals from public facilities in search of better opportunities. He urged the state government to take deliberate steps toward addressing staff shortages and improving healthcare infrastructure.
Delivering the keynote address, Head of Nursing Services at the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Mrs. Mary Samuels, encouraged nurses to emulate the dedication, resilience, and professionalism of Florence Nightingale in their daily service to humanity.
In a goodwill message, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, praised the cordial relationship among health workers in the state. He disclosed that the government has finalized plans to upgrade some Primary Health Care Centres to General Hospitals. He also announced an upward review of monthly allowances for students of the State School of Nursing and Midwifery.
The summit featured several paper presentations, focusing on the future of the nursing profession in Nigeria and strategies to enhance care delivery while safeguarding the well-being of nurses. (Radio Nigeria)