Kaduna Nurse's Strike: Let this be a Turning Point

Fellow healthcare workers, patients, and members of the public,

      We started the ongoing strike not only as healthcare professionals but as individuals facing a great struggle and today is day 9 of the strike action. For too long, we have worked under conditions that test our strength—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I stand here, as a nurse in pain, not just from the long hours on my feet or the stress of handling the lives of others, but from the deep frustration that our cries for justice and fairness continue to be ignored.

      We are the backbone of healthcare. We are the hands that care for the weak, the voices that calm the anxious, and the hearts that work tirelessly to heal the sick. Yet, we are treated as if we are invisible. The situation at General Hospital in Kafanchan reflects a much larger problem that affects hospitals across Kaduna State, and indeed the country. How can we continue to provide care when we ourselves are not cared for?

      The poor working conditions, the lack of essential medical supplies, the irregular payment of salaries, and the understaffing have made our jobs almost impossible. We have reached our limit. We can no longer endure the pain of being neglected while we continue to serve with dedication.

      Our strike is not a decision we took lightly. We know the suffering of our patients, and we carry the burden of their well-being every day. But how can we provide quality care when we are struggling to survive ourselves? We cannot continue like this—broken systems produce broken outcomes, and it is our patients who suffer most.

       We are calling on the government and the management of this hospital to meet us at the table. We need our voices heard. We need immediate reforms, improved working conditions, regular payment of salaries, and the necessary resources to perform our duties effectively. We are not asking for luxury—just the basic tools to do our jobs and be compensated fairly for our efforts.

        This strike is a cry for dignity and respect for our profession. We are not just nurses; we are humans with families, dreams, and hopes for a better future. Our passion for nursing is unwavering, but without proper support, we cannot continue to carry this burden alone.

       To our patients, we deeply regret the disruption in services. We ask for your understanding and support, for this struggle is also for you. A well-supported healthcare system benefits us all.

      Let this strike be a turning point—a moment when the cries of the healthcare workers in Kaduna State, and beyond, are finally acknowledged. Together, we stand firm in our resolve, hopeful that this struggle will lead to a better tomorrow. ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ASCERTA!!

Grace Gangas Writes from Kafanchan.