The Federal Health Institutions (FHI) sector of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to resolve lingering industrial issues at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna.

The union has warned that it would embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike if its demands were not met by July 29.

The union accused the management of the hospital of victimising its members, disregarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached after an earlier industrial dispute and engaging in actions capable of disrupting industrial harmony.

In a letter addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the union demanded the immediate reinstatement of its suspended unit chairman, reversal of the alleged demotion of three nurses, full implementation of the MoU and an investigation into what it described as anti-union practices in the hospital.

According to the union, the suspended chairman was sanctioned after providing temporary accommodation for nursing students who were stranded during their clinical posting.

The union said: “It is our considered view that this humanitarian action should have attracted commendation rather than punishment.”

Making clarifications on the letter, Kaduna State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Yakubu Ishaku explained that the dispute began after members of the union raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the hospital which were reported to the state council and subsequently brought to the attention of the management.

According to him, the union proceeded on an earlier strike after its complaints were allegedly ignored, leading to the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment where both parties signed an MoU to resolve the issues.

He said: “The struggle started with the unit at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital when they reported some malpractices in the facility to us at the state council, complaining about alteration and they wrote to the HOD from the DMC.

“We also wrote to the facility, the management. They didn’t correct what we observe as wrong. So, we decided to give them an ultimatum for strike. And we had a strike and at the end of the day, it’s the federal ministry of labour that invited us and settled the dispute.And an MOU was signed, agreeing that all of those issues under contention will be settled.

“We expected that after signing the MoU, the management would implement all the issues that were agreed upon. Unfortunately, that has not happened.”

Ishaku warned that unless the Federal Government intervenes to ensure compliance with the MoU and address the union’s grievances within the 15-day window, the FHI sector of NANNM would commence a three-day nationwide warning strike across federal health institutions.

He, however, said the union remained committed to dialogue and expressed hope that the issues would be resolved before the expiration of the ultimatum.