The Katsina State Chapter of the Nationwide Affiliation of Nurses and Midwives has introduced the withdrawal of its providers throughout frontline Native Authorities Areas within the state.
The State chairperson of the affiliation, Nura Mu’azu, disclosed this on Tuesday throughout a press briefing in Katsina, citing the current assault and abduction of a colleague as the explanation for the choice.
Mr Mu’azu stated; “It’s with deep sorrow and bleeding coronary heart that we handle you at present, being the 14th day for the reason that abduction of our harmless member, Yusuf Mohammed-Mairuwa.”
Describing the kidnapped well being employee as one of the vital hardworking and expert professionals in Katsina’s well being sector, Mr Mu’azu recounted how Mr Mohammed-Mairuwa was kidnapped at gunpoint whereas on obligation on the Normal Hospital Kankara on 15 January 2025.
“He was taken unawares, underneath the specter of weapons and brought away alongside different well being staff to an unknown vacation spot, and their whereabouts and situation stays unknown,” he stated.
Mr Mu’azu pressured that the incident has heightened worry amongst well being staff serving in frontline and weak areas, including that the abductions, whereas saving lives, have additional uncovered the dangers confronted by healthcare professionals within the state.
He acknowledged that, “the scenario has equally scratched the scar/wound that all of us have from associated instances such because the killing of our late colleague, Murtala Isah Safana, working then with the Normal Hospital Dutsin-ma.
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“He was killed by gunmen in 2022, and the assault on Hamza Saleh, a registered ophthalmic Nurse, whereas on his technique to work round Yan-Tumaki junction, because of which he misplaced his proper eye eternally.
“And likewise, the kidnapping of the spouse of one in all our colleagues, MustafaHamza, who took meals to him whereas he was on obligation at Normal Hospital Kurfi, the place he needed to promote his properties and pay N5 million ransom.”
He additional famous that the affiliation had formally written to the state authorities by the hospital administration board, copying all related places of work, to emphasize the pressing want for safety provisions in hospital amenities throughout frontlines and weak areas.
Mr Mu’azu defined that the affiliation had given the state authorities a two-week ultimatum to handle the safety considerations or threat the withdrawal of its members from hospitals in Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Jibia, Dutsin-Ma, Musawa, Malumfashi, Funtua, and Batagarawa.
He stated the state authorities had promised to enhance safety inside three days within the frontline areas and inside seven days within the weak areas.
“Sadly, because the two-week interval elapses on Wednesday, no vital sensible dedication has been seen from the federal government. With the apparent implications on our members, we can not take this evenly,” he stated.
“As a result of common hospital Kankara was the second hospital that was attacked after that of Kurfi, the place the victims have been left on their very own. So, we are actually on our personal whereas on obligation.”
He, nevertheless, acknowledged the efforts of the state authorities and different stakeholders in combating insecurity however emphasised that extra must be carried out, particularly to make sure the safety of well being amenities.
“We would like most people to know that we’re left with no different possibility because the troubling scenario isn’t displaying any signal of enchancment. We’ve been calling for the availability of safety within the hospitals for years,” he stated.
He additionally lamented the ransom demand for the kidnapped well being staff, stating, “The dangerous information of the ransom demand is throughout social media, with about N540 million being demanded for his or her launch.”
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“The place on earth can harmless households get this sort of cash when individuals are even struggling to place meals on the desk? How a lot is the wage of well being staff within the state to afford these unrealistic sums when many well being professionals should helplessly go away the service en masse for higher remunerations elsewhere?” he requested.
He listed a part of the calls for of the union because the rapid provision of 24/7 strong safety in all of the hospitals within the aforementioned areas, and rapid measures to make sure the protected launch of their colleague and different captives.
The affiliation additionally demanded the rapid compensation to their members who have been subjected to 1 loss or the opposite, because of this insecurity scenario whereas on obligation.
“We’re additionally demanding higher remuneration to draw extra well being staff for higher healthcare supply. Subsequently, we’re withdrawing our members from the aforementioned amenities efficient from 30 January, till the required actions are taken,” he stated.(NAN)
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