JOHESU/AHPA Accuse FG Of Reneging On Agreements



•Give Notice Of Fresh Strike
Chioma Umeha

Health workers have threatened to commence on  industrial action over failure of the Federal Government’s to honour an agreement it made with it by approving the adjustment of CONHESS scale as was done to medical doctors’ CONMESS since January 2014 and replicated in September 2017.
The health workers who came under the auspices of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (JOHESU/AHPA) said that the delay in implementation by the Federal Government was not causing crisis in the health sector.
This warning was contained in a communiqué JOHESU/AHPA issued at the end of its three-day consultative meeting held from February 6 to 8, 2018 in Abuja, just as the group noted it has communicated its discontentment on the issue to the appropriate government quarters.
In the communiqué signed by Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and Comrade Ekpebor Florence, JOHESU’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, the union described the Federal Government’s stance as a ‘delay tactics.’
They accused the Federal Government of deliberately foot-dragging in approving the adjustment of CONHESS scale and lamented that this was also affecting the efficiency of professionals in the sector.
CONHESS means Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health professionals and staff in the federal public service, while CONMESS is consolidated medical salary structure for medical and dental officers also in the federal public service.
The health workers urged the Federal Government to revisit the constitution of the membership of the boards of all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) urgently.
They claimed that the list of members published in December 2017 seriously violated the Teaching Hospital Act which provides that a representative of health providers must be appointed on all the boards.
JOHESU/AHPA regretted the Federal Government did not appoint its members on the boards despite the fact that a formal list was sent to it on request.
It said the action breached one of the terms of its September 30, 2017 Terms of Settlement to redress the perennial lopsided composition of the boards of the FHIs.
The communiqué read; “The JOHESU/AHPA put on record that the FG on a sad note did not appoint members of JOHESU/AHPA on the boards despite the fact that a formal list was sent to the Federal Government on request.
“Thereby, breaching one of the terms of its September 30, 2017 Terms of Settlement to redress the perennial lopsided composition of the boards of the FHIs.”
JOHESU/AHPA, however, commended Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hon. Betty Apiafi, the Chairman and members of the House Committee on Tertiary Health Institutions for granting the leadership of union audience.
It urged the lawmakers to facilitate enhanced access to healthcare in the country, boost strategies to institutionalise Public Health reforms to counter the menace of clinical disease state such as Lassa fever, Ebola and monkey-pox in the country.
“JOHESU/APHA Strongly urged the House of Representatives members to facilitate enhanced access to healthcare in the country, boost strategies to institutionalise Public Health reforms to counter the menace of clinical disease state like Lassa fever, Ebola and monkey-pox in the country.”
It also pleaded with them to intervene in the unending cycle of discriminatory output of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) in dispensing privileges and resources to the various cadres of health workers in the country.
JOHESU/AHPA said it has critically evaluated the seeming unending tenure of the CEOs of some of the FHIs and called on the FG to invoke the spirit of existing circulars to entrench due process the public interest.
It warned that at the expiration of the ultimatum it might no longer be in position to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector.
It, however, called for calm among members while the leadership appraises and monitors the Federal Government’s compliance to the Terms of Settlement with JOHESU on September 30, 2017.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more

PSN President Commissions ACPN National Secretariat

Image
Chioma Umeha History was made among the community pharmacists recently, as the national body of the Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) inaugurated its National Secretariat at Ikeja, Lagos State. The event was graced by many notable personalities in the pharmaceutical sector including, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, the president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) who commissioned the befitting edifice. Other notable guests at the event were – Dr. UNO Uwaga, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for ACPN; Pharm. Bukky George, the Managing Director of Healthplus, among many former presidents of different pharmaceutical bodies. Pharm. Yakasai stated that it was a thing of joy for him to see this development come to light. He said that he is ‘a proud father’ as the inauguration of the building was a “testimony of when you have a proud son who can carry out directives.” He described the secretariat as “A home for all pharmacists across board.”
Read more