The Hospital Management Board (HMB) has issued a formal response to recent criticisms levelled by the Nigerian Association of Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). Starnews NG reports that the association had previously accused the board of a lack of transparency and fairness in its recent recruitment exercises, alleging that the selection process was flawed and did not adequately reflect the needs or professional standards expected by the nursing community.
In a statement released yesterday, the Acting Chairman of the HMB, Dr Oluwafemi Akeredolu, addressed these concerns, characterising the association’s public commentary as lacking a foundational understanding of the administrative procedures. “It is obvious that the publication released by the association lacks the facts of what transpired during the employment,” Dr Akeredolu stated, defending the integrity of the board’s procedures.
Dr Akeredolu emphasised that the screening and recruitment of nursing professionals were conducted with professional oversight, noting, “The employment and screening of nurses and midwives were handled by the Director of Nursing Services and her deputy, who are the most senior nurses within the board.”
He argued that if the association perceives any shortcomings, “the two most senior nurses within the HMB should be asked by their association.”
Highlighting the board’s commitment to professional autonomy, the Chairman explained that recruitment was decentralised to ensure expertise-led selection. “Probably that was the first time in the history of employment at the HMB that the selection of professionals would be committed to the hands of their respective directors,” he noted, citing that the recruitment of pharmacists, health information managers, and medical doctors followed a similar director-led process under the board’s supervision.
Addressing the NANNM Chairman, Mr Orobode who is currently affiliated with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, Dr Akeredolu challenged the association to acknowledge the parity in recruitment across the state’s healthcare facilities. He questioned the basis of their grievance by asking the NANNM leadership to “mention any set of health professionals recently employed by the HMB who are not currently with FMC, Owo, or its annexes.”
In his conclusion, Dr Akeredolu called for greater recognition of the administration’s investment in the sector under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He highlighted that the state has recruited over 172 nurses and nearly 150 nursing interns, all of whom are now remunerated according to the newly approved federal salary structure—a milestone for the state.
Furthermore, he pointed to the government’s approval of a new School of Nursing in the Ilaje Local Government Area as a direct response to long-standing industry requests.
“The Governor will continue to carry all associations in the health sector along and ensure they receive their due,” Dr Akeredolu affirmed, pointing to the inclusive composition of the HMB board as proof of the government’s commitment to professional representation, Starnews NG reports.
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