By
Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health, has
appealed to the leadership of the Joint Health Staff Union (JOHESU) to prevail
on their members to shelve their planned strike action.
In a statement signed by Boade Akinola, Director,
Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Professor
Adewole said government has continued its negotiation with the Union and hoped
that issues in contention will be addressed through consensus.
The Minister further urged them to consider the
interest of Nigerians who are the ultimate victims of the strike action.
The Minister assured the JOHESU Leadership of the
commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the wellbeing of all Nigerians,
including the welfare of stakeholders in the health sector.
It will be recalled that the health workers under
the auspices of JOHESU and the National Association of Allied Health
Professionals (NUAHP), recently vowed to embark on an indefinite nationwide
strike should government fail to
meet their demands by 30th, September 2017.
In a statement jointly signed by the National
President, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna and its National General Secretary, Com. O.A
Obisessan, the unions claimed that the ultimatum earlier issued to the
government is expected to elapse on the 12th of September, 2017.
The duo, who accused the Health and Labour
ministries of conspiracy against the unions, declared that the unions were not
considering resuming strike immediate due to mobilization factors and the need
to give the Government further room to address their demands.
“Come 30th September, 2017, if the Government
refuses to meet our demands, the unions will have no other option than to shut
down health care services nationwide”, the unions said.
In their 23- point demands, the unions are
demanding the revamping of infrastructure in the tertiary health institutions;
implement the report of the inter-ministerial sub-committee on critical matters
in the health sector as well as addressing issues such as professional
autonomy.
The Unions also want the government to address the
issue of headship of departments/units in hospitals, enhanced entry point (EEP)
for medical laboratory scientists and radiographers, non- payment of backlog of
arrears, residency training for other health professionals, appointments of
consultants and payment of specialist allowance, and post of surgeon general,
among other issues.
