Health workers in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria have embarked on five-day warning strike beginning from midnight on Monday.
The industrial action involves members of the Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Association of Hospitals and Administrative Pharmacists and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists.
They are demanding payment of their outstanding allowances and other entitlements.
Public hospitals in Kaduna State are operating at minimal capacity, due to the strike, with only Doctors and laboratory technicians on duty.
The health workers initiated the strike over unresolved issues with the State Government, concerning their welfare and salary structure, which were promised to be addressed since 2009.
Some patients have been discharged from the hospitals, due to the absence of nurses, leading to emotional and mixed reactions from them and their care givers
The health workers cite inadequate welfare as a major challenge, prompting many of their colleagues to seek better opportunities abroad, contributing to brain drain in the country.
When contacted, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Aishatu Mohamed, said that she would soon officially respond to the situation.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
