FG Institutes C’ttee to Review Striking Health Workers’ Demands

Olawale Ajimotokan The federal government has mandated a committee to review the technical and financial related aspects involved in the demands of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The decision was made to restore normalcy in the health sector and end the inconvenience inflicted on patients across the country by the strike.

A statement issued yesterday by the Director of Information in the Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF), Lawrence Ojabo, confirmed that the position was taken when high level government officials met last Sunday on the crisis.

Ojabo said the meeting was called to explore means of ending the ongoing strike by JOHESU and finding a lasting solutions to the issues.

He also added that the high level government team which met yesterday, will continue its sitting today.

“Government continues to reassure members of the public that the health facilities nationwide shall provide normal services and urges all employees to go about their duties peacefully as adequate security protection shall be ensured,” the statement said.

The industrial action has already paralysed the National Hospital Abuja and other secondary health institutions across the country.

The workers are at accusing the federal government of insensitivity to their plight and for failing to uphold the agreement with the health workers since 2009 till 2017.

The union were demanding payment of promotion arrears, corrections of promotion irregularity, skewed appointments of Chief Medical Directors and Chairmen of Medical Advisory Committee, among others.

In addition, they were also demanding the implementation of CONHESS Salary Scale at Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as well as all court judgments obtained by the union.