The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, University College Hospital, Ibadan, on Monday said about 36 nurses were infected with the COVID-19 virus during the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria.
Chairman, NANNM, UCH, Mrs Ronke Bello, disclosed this at the Foundation Laying ceremony of the Nurses’ House at the UCH, Ibadan.
Bello said, “Our nurses also got infected at the University College Hospital at the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria. We have it on record. At least, 36 of us were infected at UCH. Some (infections) were severe, some mild, some moderate.
“But, to the glory of God, we all came out of it.
“We did not record any death or loss to the effect of COVID-19 despite our level of exposure to the infection. We came in contact with those who had been diagnosed and those who were yet to be diagnosed.”
She urged governments at all levels to prioritise the health needs of the citizens in its developmental agenda.
“It is no fallacy that the massive brain drain that has hit the health sector is impacting our nation negatively.
“Of course, we have had a lot of nurses exited UCH for greener pastures where their work is better valued and better appreciated. A lot of our nurses are exiting every day.
“Day by day, the management is bringing in nurses to ensure that those of us who are overwhelmed can be relieved a little bit.
“I can tell you that nurses in UCH are overwhelmed but they (management) are employing to cushion the effect of brain drain. We want to let the government know that it is not in the best interest of the nation for us to have brain drain having trained best hands and they just exit the country.
“I would just suggest that government should improve the welfare package of nurses and make the environment more conducive for the workers so that professionalism can be established.
“This is the year of the nurses and the midwives. It is the year that was declared by the World Health Organisation that we have to face the global pandemic,” Bello added.
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