Chairman Urges Humanitarian Support Across Hospitals

By Katsina Times Reporter
31 July 2025

The Katsina State chapter of the Hospital Friends Association has called on its members across the 34 local government areas to step in and provide basic first aid and humanitarian support to patients amid the ongoing nationwide warning strike by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The state chairman of the association, Alhaji Bilya Sanda Khadimul Islam, made the appeal on Wednesday, stressing the urgent need for community-driven intervention in health facilities during the one-week industrial action.

Alhaji Bilya acknowledged the crucial role nurses and midwives play in the healthcare system and expressed hope for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the dispute between the union and relevant authorities.

In a bid to cushion the impact of the strike, the association has mobilized support from various volunteer groups including Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’a Wa’iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lajnatul Hisbah, and Munazzamatu Fityanul Islam. These groups have already begun providing assistance at General Hospital Katsina and other healthcare facilities across the state.

Alhaji Bilya also disclosed that logistics—such as food, water, and essential supplies—have been made available to the volunteers to enable smooth operations throughout the strike period.

“We remain committed to supporting both patients and healthcare institutions, especially in challenging times like this,” he said. “Our members must continue to embody the values of compassion, service, and unity that define our mission.”

The nurses’ strike, which began earlier this week, has disrupted services in public hospitals across the country, prompting calls for interim community-led support to minimize the suffering of patients.