The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has called upon state governments and the Federal Capital Territory to implement a 25 per cent upward review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and hazard allowance, along with revised call duty allowances. This appeal was made during the association’s two-day National Executive Council quarterly meeting in Abuja.
The association emphasized the urgency of implementing CONHESS and other allowances to encourage nurses to remain in the country and provide essential healthcare services. The recent approval by President Bola Tinubu for the review of CONHESS in the Federal Public Service was highlighted as a crucial step in addressing brain drain and ensuring industrial harmony within the healthcare sector.
NANNM expressed concern over the non-implementation of enhanced salary structures for nurses and the depletion of specialized nurses in health facilities nationwide. They urged the federal government to address these issues promptly to prevent industrial disharmony and improve the quality of healthcare delivery.
Additionally, NANNM called for the inclusion of nurses and midwives in the engagement of health fellows in primary health centers across the 774 local government areas, emphasizing their role as key stakeholders and data generators in such facilities.
The association also conducted training for over 300 top members on the Automated Management System to ensure comprehensive and authentic membership data nationwide. This system aims to facilitate member registration and provide reliable data on the numerical strength of nurses and midwives in Nigeria, aiding both the association and the government in planning and policy implementation.