Healthcare services at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, are currently disrupted after 128 nurses commenced an indefinite strike on Thursday. This action was taken under the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) following prolonged concerns about unresolved issues related to nurses' welfare and career progression that have persisted for over two years. The nurses' grievances include claims that the hospital's management has not adequately addressed their requests for better working conditions, leading to frustration and the decision to strike.

Comrade Enwereji Uchekukwu, the NANNM unit chairman at the hospital, stated that after multiple internal attempts to resolve the issues, the strike was deemed necessary. He revealed that the union had formally written to the hospital management at least twice in the previous year regarding critical concerns affecting the nursing staff. However, the management's lack of response and inability to trace their correspondence indicated a disregard for their problems, prompting the nurses to take drastic action to draw attention to their plight.

The strike has significant implications for patient care at the hospital, as healthcare services are paralyzed, and many patients may be left without necessary treatment. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in the Nigerian healthcare system, where similar strikes and issues often occur due to inadequate attention to the needs of healthcare workers. The resolution of this strike will be critical not only for the nurses and patients affected but also for the broader conversation about healthcare quality and worker rights in Nigeria.