The Joint Health Sector Unions and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association have directed their members to embark on an indefinite strike.
The National Vice President of JOHESU, Dr Obinna Ogbonna
said this at a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.
JOHESU is the umbrella body of health workers’ unions and
associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria,
Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of
Educational and Associated Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of
Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions,
and AHPA.
The health workers are demanding the immediate approval and
implementation of the Technical Committee report on CONHESS adjustment by FG;
immediate payment of the omission and Shortfall in the COVID-19
hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the Federal Health
Institutions and recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities
in the payment of new hazard allowance; payment and inculcation of peculiar
allowances to health workers under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA.
The other demands are the immediate and unconditional
implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant cadre, unconditional payment of all
withheld salaries of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching
Hospital, and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and April and May 2018
salaries of members at NOFIC, Azare; and the speedy Implementation of the
Increase in Retirement Age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for Consultants in
the health professions.
The leadership of JOHESU had in a letter dated May 9, 2023,
issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over alleged
inconsistencies of the government in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the
Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers on their platforms.
The 15-day ultimatum commenced on May 10, 2023, and will
expire at midnight on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
Dr Obinna said, “Consequent upon the nonchalant, biased and
lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Ministry of Health against JOHESU members
and the resolution of the expanded National Executive Council meeting of the
JOHESU held on Monday, May 8, 2023, our members in Federal Health Institutions
nationwide are hereby directed to withdraw their services indefinitely
commencing from 00:00 hour on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
“It becomes imperative to inform you that since the Federal
Government is yet to meet these demands, our members have been directed by the
JOHESU National Executive Council to proceed on an indefinite strike action
upon expiration of the ultimatum by midnight of May 25, 2023.”
He, however, said, the union is committed to working with
the government and stakeholders to improve the health system with necessary
reforms in public interest.
When the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire was
contacted, he requested a text message to be sent to him on the matter.
He had yet to respond to the text message sent to him as of
the time of filing this report.
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