Shortage of nurses affects health system in Nigeria – Association
The Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos, has expressed concern over shortage of nurses and brain drain which affect the health system.
The NANNM FNPHY Unit Chairman, Mrs. Fatimetu Olaoni disclosed that, inadequate nurses to provide care was already affecting healthcare delivery in the country.
“The brain drain of nurses has become an impediment to the development of the nursing profession and a setback to the nation’s health system.
“The Federal Government should create an enabling environment for health professionals to address the brain drain challenge and labour mobility in the country,” Olaoni stated.
According to her, a large number of the nursing professionals in the country are either planning to leave or have already left.
“Imagine having 20 patients to one nurse as it is the case in many hospitals.
“A nurse slumped last week in one of the General Hospitals in Lagos due to hectic work.
“We have a shortage of manpower in the nursing profession, which means the country needs to buff up training and recruitment of practitioners in the field.
“We urge the government to ensure regulation to curb the exodus of manpower in the health sector so that we do not produce these professionals to enrich the health system in other countries.
“Government should ensure improved remuneration and welfare package for the nurses as well as provision of right and standard equipment among others,” she said.
Nurses working in hospitals with excessive patient workloads and poor work environments are more likely to be burned out and dissatisfied with their job.
Mrs. Veronica Ezeh, a psychiatric nurse at the hospital, called on the national body of the nurse’s association to be more proactive in regulating and steering affairs of the nurses to curb the menace of quackery in the profession.
READ ALSO: Kwara Government inducts 130 doctors, nurses, others
Kamila/Punch
