The Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Cross River State Council, Josephine Bassey, has called on the state government to embark on massive recruitment of nurses and midwives to address acute manpower shortages in health facilities across the state.
Bassey made the appeal yesterday in Calabar during an interactive session held as part of activities marking the 2026 International Nursing Week. She warned that the shortage of healthcare personnel was placing enormous pressure on the few available nurses and midwives, leading to burnout, stress, and declining efficiency in service delivery.
According to her, increased employment in the sector would help bridge the manpower gap and strengthen healthcare delivery across the state, stressing that investment in the nursing workforce remained critical to improving healthcare services.
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Our Nurses, Our Future: Empowered Nurses Save Lives,” the NANNM chairman also called for the upgrading of health facilities and provision of infrastructure, particularly in rural communities. She noted that quality healthcare could not thrive in poorly equipped environments, urging government authorities to rehabilitate and equip primary healthcare centres to create conducive working conditions and improve patient care.
Bassey further urged both the federal and state governments to invest more in nurses through improved welfare packages, enhanced remuneration, regular training and safer working conditions. She also advocated the implementation of the approved upward review of the retirement age for nurses and other health professionals to 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service, arguing that retaining experienced nurses would strengthen mentorship and improve healthcare outcomes.
Describing Nurses Week as a period dedicated to celebrating the sacrifices, resilience and commitment of nurses, Bassey said nurses remained the backbone of healthcare delivery in hospitals, schools, communities, rural health centres and emergency settings despite numerous challenges.
“Investing in nurses is investing in the future of healthcare, and only empowered nurses can save lives,” she said.
The NANNM chairman, however, commended the administration of Bassey Otu for its support towards nursing education and healthcare development in the state, particularly the provision of three 32-seater coaster buses to nursing training institutions. She also praised the state government for securing accreditation for nursing training institutions from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the National Board for Technical Education, describing the feat as a major milestone for nursing education and professional development in the state.
