A significant number of nurses, particularly younger professionals, are expressing their intention to withdraw from the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) due to perceived failures in leadership at the state level. Many nurses and midwives have voiced their frustrations regarding the union’s inability to advocate effectively for their welfare, leading to widespread discontent within the healthcare community.

The primary concerns driving this potential breakaway include:

1. Ineffective Representation: Nurses are increasingly worried about the union’s failure to address critical issues such as the implementation of hazard allowances, upgrading CONHESS to 100%, timely promotions, inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, and improper placement of graduate nurses upon employment. Additionally, there have been delays in approving changes in cadre for registered nurses to officer status, as well as a review of allowances for NYSC graduate nurses.

2. Insufficient Advocacy for Nurses’ Rights: There is a growing sentiment among nurses that their rights are not being adequately represented. Many face workplace challenges and instances of abuse without the support of a strong advocacy system to negotiate fair treatment and justice.

3. Lack of Transparency: Concerns have been raised about the financial governance of the union, particularly regarding monthly rebates and overall financial activities. Nurses are calling for a detailed financial report to ensure transparency in how union funds are managed.

Additional issues contributing to the unrest include low morale, stagnation of professional growth, and a general loss of trust in union leadership.

Young nurses in Kano State are demanding immediate action to address these pressing concerns. If these issues remain unresolved, they may feel compelled to sever ties with the union altogether.

“We urge the management and leadership of NANNM to take these concerns seriously and engage with the necessary authorities to improve the welfare of nurses in our state,” said a representative of the concerned nurses. “Failure to act promptly may leave us with no choice but to pursue separation from the union.”

The situation remains fluid as nurses await a response from union leadership regarding their demands.

One of the nurses who pleaded anonymity released their stand to news men in Kano.

BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, a renowned healthcare facility, has reiterated its commitment to providing effective service delivery, a conducive atmosphere, and hospitality to save lives.

The CEO of Best Choice Specialist Hospital, Auwal Lawal Muhammad, made this assertion in an exclusive interview with newsmen in Kano.

Lawal emphasized that the hospital is well-equipped with ultramodern infrastructure and sophisticated health apparatus. Its team of esteemed urologists is dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions for various urological issues.

According to him, the hospital has broadened its routine healthcare services to include treatments for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), kidney stones, bladder control problems, prostate issues, and other urological concerns.

As a registered health facility, BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL possesses board-certified urologists with extensive experience, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, personalized care, and a compassionate approach.

In addition, the management assured patients of hospitable welfare with advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures.

According to Lawal, when patients visit the hospital, they will have a healthier tomorrow. He noted that scheduling an appointment with their expert urologists helps regain control over one’s urological health.

He urged patients not to let urological issues, kidney stones, bladder, and prostate problems hold them back.

The CEO added that BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL has moved to its permanent site along Tal’udu Roundabout, near Shekh Bashir El-rayya College, Aminu Kano Way, Kano, Nigeria, where its present headquarters is located. The hospital is not in any way related to any hospital around its former site.

In addition to its renowned urology services, Lawal told newsmen that the hospital offers a broad spectrum of medical services. These include general surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry, dental care, dermatology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, obstetric gynecology, a general outpatient clinic, laboratory services, pharmacy, and a neonatal intensive care unit.

He noted that the dental department at BEST CHOICE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL is particularly notable for its extensive range of services where  patients can access tooth extractions, tooth whitening, crowns, bridges, scaling, and polishing. The hospital’s advanced whitening techniques promise to brighten teeth in less than an hour, ensuring patients can smile confidently.

By Dr Ibrahim Musa

With her beaming smile, she seemed excited that the surgeons had finally removed a growth troubling her tommy that had proven difficult to diagnose. She stretched her arm to deliver a sealed envelope containing a histology report of the growth. As an Attending, I was the only one working that day because the resident doctors were on a strike. Charmed by her smiles, I quickly opened the envelope hoping to read good news that would match her spirit and her equally excited mother. My smile froze. What should I tell her? The pathologists had made a diagnosis of a diffuse large B lymphoma. It’s quite an aggressive tumor that could overwhelm a patient within a short time.

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“Doctor, what is the report saying?” “You have cancer”, I replied. The devastating news instantly changed her mood. Breaking such bad news is a job no doctor wants to engage in. I explained the treatment options and the fact that there is a targeted therapy called Rituximab that could potentially improve survival if added to her chemotherapy. A vial of the drug costs hundreds of thousands and she would need at least 6 cycles within ~5 months of 3 weekly treatment. “Doctor, we cannot afford it,” her mother interjected.

Three months later, when I came for the ward round she had deteriorated badly. The growth is already back and almost 10 times bigger- obstructing her intestine and protruding on the anterior abdominal wall from her pelvis. She could barely breathe while struggling to hold on to her mother. As I watched her writhe in pain, I felt hopeless and sad. I felt defeated but beyond that I felt like we have all failed her. I silently fought tears as I struggled not to betray emotions. If I cry I would break the hearts of the people around at the time they needed me to give them hope. “You must be strong”, I told myself. But at that moment I was so sure that death would be a relief for her. She died the next morning unable to do even an X ray due to poverty. I keep asking myself what we can do to mitigate these unfortunate scenarios? Over 40% of the Nigerians live on less than $1 per day. With this extreme poverty, how do we expect them to shoulder the cost of exorbitant care from the angle of catastrophic spending?

Dr Ibrahim Musa is a consultant at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital