Bayelsa Hospitals Discharge Patients as Nurses Begin Strike

Public hospitals across Bayelsa State discharged patients on Wednesday as nurses began a nationwide seven-day warning strike, leaving many residents stranded without medical care.

The strike, led by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), caused widespread disruption in health facilities across the state. In Yenagoa, a visit to the Primary Health Centre in Amarata revealed the premises locked as early as 9:00 a.m., with no staff on duty.

At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), patients were seen loitering in wards and corridors without receiving any medical attention. Some had been waiting since 8:00 a.m. for previously scheduled appointments but were left unattended.

NANNM Chairman at FMC, Mr. Liberia Woyengibarafagha Progress, said the strike was total and without provision for skeletal services. “We are tired of being neglected. We have made our demands clear, and we won’t resume until we are heard,” he said.

The nurses are demanding the gazetting of their scheme of service, implementation of the 2012 Industrial Act, review of professional allowances, employment of more nurses, better hospital equipment, creation of a nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health, inclusion of nurses in policy decisions, centralized internship postings, and recognition of nurse consultants.

Speaking to journalists, Progress lamented the poor conditions nurses endure, saying they are overworked, underpaid, and sidelined in policy-making despite being the backbone of healthcare delivery.

Comrade Amos Ombufa, NANNM’s National Treasurer and South-South Zonal Coordinator, warned that if the government fails to act after the warning strike, a 21-day ultimatum would follow—after which an indefinite strike would begin.

Meanwhile, the management of FMC Yenagoa confirmed the disruption but said measures were in place to maintain minimal services. Public Relations Officer Akpedi Bernard said doctors and senior nurses at management level had been mobilized to attend to emergency cases.

He described the strike as unfortunate, noting that FMC Yenagoa serves over 70% of the state’s population as the only tertiary federal health facility.

Patients and families, however, expressed worry about the shutdown, urging the government to swiftly intervene before the situation escalates further.