Nurses and midwives in Katsina State have withdrawn their services from hospitals in high-risk and vulnerable areas, citing poor remuneration, inadequate welfare, and escalating security threats. The Katsina State Council of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) announced the withdrawal during a press briefing on Tuesday, decrying the harsh working conditions faced by healthcare workers.
According to the association, despite working under extreme pressure and life-threatening conditions, nurses in Katsina receive a meager hazard allowance of just N5,000 per month. The state, one of Nigeria’s most populous, reportedly has only about 1,000 nurses and midwives in its employment, leading to severe manpower shortages and excessive workloads.
“We are among the lowest-paid nurses in Nigeria, with poor welfare conditions and an increasing rate of resignations as health workers leave for better opportunities elsewhere,” NANNM stated.
The association also cited worsening security challenges, particularly the abduction of a nurse, Yusuf Mohammed Mairuwa, from General Hospital Kankara on January 15, 2025. This follows previous attacks, including the murder of Nurse Murtala Isah Safana in 2022, a violent assault that left Nurse Hamza Saleh with permanent eye damage, and the kidnapping of a nurse’s wife from General Hospital Kurfi in 2024, where a N5 million ransom was paid.
NANNM disclosed that despite writing a formal letter to the Katsina State Government demanding enhanced security within two weeks, no significant action has been taken. The association insists that without urgent intervention, the safety and welfare of healthcare workers remain at serious risk.
