Caregivers at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, have expressed concern over the safety and well-being of their loved ones currently hospitalized, following the commencement of a seven-day warning strike by nurses across Federal Government health facilities.
The nurses, who began the industrial action on Wednesday, are protesting the prolonged neglect of salary structure reforms and welfare entitlements, citing persistent underfunding, severe staffing shortages, excessive workload, brain drain, and inadequate infrastructure as reasons for the strike.
DAILY POST visited UPTH to assess the situation and observed that that nurses at the hospital were absent from their duty posts.
Caregivers who spoke to DAILY POST expressed frustration, lamenting that doctors, who usually conduct regular ward rounds, were also rarely seen.
They said the absence of nurses has disrupted hospital operations, leaving patients without proper care or supervision.
The caregivers said they are left with no option but to rely on faith as they navigate the current crisis.
“Since morning, just one doctor has come to see my son. Since that time till now, he has not come back to check on him.
“We are just believing in God,” a mother whose son is admitted in the hospital said.
Another caregiver said, “We have not seen any nurse since morning.
“It’s the doctors that brought us to the hospital, not the nurses.”
Meanwhile, another caregiver expressed concern that they have been stepping in to do some of the things the nurses were doing for the patients.
The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives commenced the industrial action after the federal government failed to meet their demands within the fifteen-day ultimatum given to it.
The nurses union embarked on the strike despite the Federal Government’s plea during a meeting held on Tuesday.
The meeting is expected to continue on Friday with the Minister of Labour, Muhammad Dingyadi.
