No fewer than 75,000 nurses and midwives have reportedly left the country as a result of poor wages, indecent work environment and others in the last five years.
The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) President, Comrade Micheal Nnachi, made this known during this year’s international nurses week/official flag-off with the theme: “Our nurses, our future.”
The insecurity situation in the country, particularly the rising cases of kidnap of its members for ransom, and violence against its members at the workplace while discharging their lawful duties, were said to be responsible, NANNM disclosed according to The Nation.
“As a result of poor wages, and lack of decent work environments, over 75,000 Nurses and Midwives have migrated from Nigeria within a period of five years.
“Shortage of Nurses and midwives, especially in certain areas of specialization and geographic region, the increased rates of attrition and a chronic shortage of nursing personnel in the country increased workloads on nurses without compensation, exposing them to more health hazards and compromising the quality of healthcare delivery.”
The Vice President of NANNM, Comrade Israel Blessing on its part said: “The 2021 State of the World’s Midwifery report puts the midwives shortage in Nigeria at about 30,000 which is 6 per 10,000 people. To close the gap by 2030, about 70,000 midwives posts are needed but with current estimates, only 40,000 will be created by 2030.
This shortage is particularly acute in Northern Nigeria where essential needs for maternal and reproductive health care are unmet.”
Also speaking was the Secretary General/Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Mr Faruk Abubakar, he said: “The nursing workforce is the world’s largest and biggest distinct profession in the healthcare industry, and it is germane to the delivery of the promise for health for all. This was the summation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2008.
“For the world to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including Nigeria, the country must have the ability of the right nursing professionals at the right place, at the right time, and with the right skills to provide health services to secure the future of our populace.”