Hospitals across Nigeria have plunged into a state of disarray following the nationwide seven-day warning strike embarked upon by the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
The industrial action has caused widespread suffering for patients and exposed the fragility of the country’s public healthcare infrastructure.
Benue: Near-Death Experiences Amid Healthcare Collapse
In Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) saw disturbing scenes of despair. Mrs. Christiana Aba recounted how her daughter, who required urgent blood transfusion, nearly died due to the unavailability of nurses.
“The nurse fixed a drip, but after it finished, there was no one to transfuse the blood. I screamed all night. By God’s grace, help came by morning,” she told Saturday Sun.
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) and the General Hospital at North Bank were overwhelmed, with many patients seen stranded or evacuating to BSUTH, where minimal emergency services continued. Overcrowding spilled into hallways.
Borno: Doctors and Auxiliaries Step In
In Borno State, health services at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and other public hospitals like Mamman Shuwa and Umaru Shehu were sustained by doctors and auxiliary workers. They undertook nurses’ roles including medication administration and vital checks.
“Doctors can’t do it all,” said a patient’s father. “Since Monday, the system has been struggling.”
Kaduna: Skeleton Services Amid Deserted Wards
In Kaduna, hospitals like Shika Teaching Hospital operated skeletal services with only senior administrative staff handling patients. Most wards were empty, and patients were either discharged or moved to private clinics.
Imo: Antenatal Care and Emergency Response Grounded
In Owerri, Imo State, the Federal University Teaching Hospital was in disarray. Patients like Mrs. Chineye Ogu were left without attention for their sick children, unaware of the strike.
“I got here early, but nobody attended to my son. Even the doctor wasn’t around,” she lamented.
Antenatal patients were similarly affected, with no nurses to conduct basic checks.
Cross River: Total Shutdown
In Calabar, General Hospital wards were vacated, and all in-patients discharged. Around 190 nurses withdrew services, affecting emergency response and new admissions. Only limited outpatient care continued.
Abia: Emergency Services Only at FMC Umuahia
In Umuahia, FMC shut its doors to new admissions. Patients were visibly distressed, with many pleading for an end to the strike. Emergency care was offered minimally.
Anambra: Improvised Care and Deserted Wards
At Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Nnewi, services were disrupted. Doctors, overwhelmed, discharged patients en masse. Some nurses offered unofficial, unpaid help without uniforms.
Mrs. Nkechi Njoku, whose daughter was sick, regretted being forced into the high costs of private care.
Port Harcourt: Intensive Care Patients Worst Hit
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) saw critical units like the ICU hit hardest. Mrs. Aleruchi Ovundah’s son, a motor accident victim, received no nursing attention despite his severe injuries.
Ibadan: 100% Strike Compliance at UCH
In Ibadan, the University College Hospital (UCH) experienced a full withdrawal of nursing services. Although doctors tried to fill the gap, patient care was significantly hindered.
Plateau: Dialysis Patients in Crisis
In Jos, patients sought private care, but many with chronic conditions like kidney failure struggled. One patient on dialysis expressed difficulty in finding affordable alternatives.
Bayelsa: Emergency Surgery Postponed
In Yenagoa, FMC stopped accepting emergency cases, while surgeries were postponed. Mr. Dennis Agidi shared the pain of his son’s surgery being delayed until mid-August.
“Why must government neglect things until they fall apart?” he asked.
A National Emergency
Across Nigeria, the effects of the nurses’ strike are uniform: patients in pain, overstretched doctors, and deserted wards. While the strike is a temporary warning, its impact has highlighted longstanding issues in Nigeria’s public health system — understaffing, poor labor relations, and systemic neglect.
Public appeals have mounted for the federal government and union leaders to find a resolution before more lives are lost.
