Nurses and midwives in Kaduna State have been prompted to abandon hospitals due to a lack of proper welfare packages, according to Comr. Ishaku Yakubu, Chairman of the Nurses and Midwives Kaduna State Chapter.
Speaking during the Nurses and Midwives Annual General Meeting at the Asaa Pyramid Hotel in Kaduna, Yakubu highlighted the state’s poor salary structure for healthcare workers. He emphasized, “Kaduna State is one of the states that pay poor salaries to nurses… To stop this, the state must improve the welfare of nurses for effective health care delivery.”
Despite the challenges, Yakubu commended the Kaduna State Governor for pledging to revamp six General Hospitals in the state. He also called for the recruitment of more nurses and midwives across the state to address the manpower shortage in healthcare facilities.
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In response, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Hajia Umma Ahmed, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the Kada Nurses and Midwives Empowerment Initiative scheme.
She expressed satisfaction with the emphasis on empowerment and solidarity among members of the cooperative society, stating, “Cooperatives like this play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another in times of need by pulling resources and working together which not only enhances livelihood but also strengthens the fabric of the healthcare system as a whole.”
Umma emphasised the importance of endowment schemes for nurses and midwives, citing examples from other states where such schemes have been successfully implemented. She advised members to start planning for their retirement and seek opportunities for entrepreneurship. Additionally, she called on the new board chairperson, Comr. Cecilia Musa, to strengthen the cooperative scheme.
Expressing the government’s commitment to healthcare workers, Umma stated, “I am fully committed to supporting an organisation like this. We recognise the challenges from inadequate resources to the working environment, and we’re dedicated to addressing these challenges in partnership with you.” She disclosed that the process of implementing and domesticating the 2019 Con-hess has begun to improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, Umma emphasised Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to upgrading, equipping, and remodelling health facilities, particularly in rural areas. She assured that the ministry is addressing the high attrition rate among healthcare workers and has ensured that previously unpaid nurses have received their salaries.
Furthermore, Umma announced plans to request the recruitment of more health personnel in the state to address the shortage of healthcare workers. She recognized the invaluable role of nurses and midwives in promoting health and emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for them to thrive in the healthcare sector.