Hospitals Struggle as Nurses and Midwives Stay Away on Day Two of Nationwide Strike

Public hospitals across Nigeria are under pressure as the strike by nurses and midwives entered its second day, leaving patients and their families in distress.

The nationwide walkout, organized by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives–Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI), has disrupted healthcare delivery, forcing many patients to leave hospitals without treatment.

The strike began after the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government. The association had demanded immediate reforms to prevent further damage to the health sector. With no concrete response from authorities, the union declared a seven-day warning strike starting July 30.

The nurses are demanding several changes, including the official gazetting of the revised nursing service scheme, implementation of the 2012 Industrial Act, better professional allowances, and hiring of more staff. They also want proper medical equipment, a dedicated Nursing Department in the Federal Ministry of Health, and recognition of nurses in healthcare decision-making roles. Additional demands include state-level appointments for nurses and centralized internship placements, similar to what doctors currently enjoy.

Despite calls from the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, asking the union to return to the negotiation table, nurses across federal institutions have continued with the strike. The government is expected to hold another round of talks on Friday, but the union has not shown signs of backing down until action is taken.

In Kano, the National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH) has discharged hundreds of in-patients. According to the hospital’s branch chairman of the union, patients were advised to seek care elsewhere due to the absence of nursing staff. Though there have been discussions between hospital management and the union, they have yielded no results. Some flexibility may be granted to dialysis patients due to their condition, but services remain largely shut down.

Ibadan’s Adeoyo State Hospital is also affected. Many wards are now empty as patients were discharged. Only a few critical cases remain, and even those are without nursing care. A patient’s relative described how doctors are struggling to fill the gap left by striking nurses. Outpatients are also affected, with some not receiving attention for painful conditions.

In Bayelsa State, hospitals in Yenagoa are facing similar challenges. Primary healthcare centers are closed, and at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), patients have been left without help. Some had arrived early for appointments but were not seen. Others with more serious conditions were simply sent home. The union leadership in Bayelsa confirmed full compliance with the strike, stating that only an urgent government response can restore services.

Hospital management in Bayelsa admitted the situation was grim. FMC, which handles over 70 percent of the state’s healthcare services, is struggling to operate with limited staff. The hospital has pulled in available doctors and senior nurses to cover emergencies, but regular services remain suspended.

In Benue State, the strike is also fully in effect. The NANNM chairman confirmed that nurses at all public hospitals in the state have joined the action. Facilities like General Hospitals, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) have all been impacted. Efforts by the management of BSUTH to convince nurses to remain at their posts, particularly for the sake of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), appear to have had little effect so far.

Across the country, the strike has triggered a health crisis, with patients bearing the brunt. Hospitals are discharging people prematurely, while others are turned away due to the shortage of care. Union leaders insist this action was long overdue. They say nurses have been undervalued and overworked for years, despite forming the backbone of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The union warns that if its demands are ignored after the warning strike ends, it will issue a fresh ultimatum and may proceed to an indefinite strike. The nurses say they are no longer willing to stay silent while their profession continues to be neglected.

For now, patients and their families continue to wait, hoping the government will act swiftly to bring an end to the growing crisis.