Nurses Abandon Hospitals Over Poor Remuneration In C’River

Mass exodus of nurses is said to be plaguing Cross River State Government as about 93 nurses working in about 1, 016 health facilities across the 18 local government areas of the state are believed to be looking for greener pastures elsewhere.
Findings revealed that nurses in the state resigned from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar for fat pay.
Confirming the report, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Ojong Ogar, who expressed regrets over the situation, admitted that there was brain drain in the state.
Comrade Ogar, who was speaking with newsmen in Calabar, said: “when we came on board, we had this salary structure in which the former Governor, Liyel Imoke approved 70% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for the nurses of Cross River State, but up till now, the balance of 30% has not be given to us.
“Because of this, a lot of nurses are leaving the state for greener pastures. When you go to the teaching hospital, they pay them 100% and if you go out to other states, the nurses there are being paid 100% but in Cross River State, the nurses are still collecting 70% CONHESS and because of that, retaining nurses in this state is difficult.
“NANNM greatest sad moment is the shortage of manpower. There is gross shortage of manpower in the state. As I am speaking to you, we have about 93 nurses covering the whole 18 local government areas with about 1, 016 health facilities.
“We are talking about Ayade Care, how do you expect 93 nurses to execute a quality nursing care for our people. In this regard, we are equally appealing to the government to look into this, employ more nurses into the health facilities”.

Friday Nwagbara, Calabar