Health Workers Give FG 21-day Strike Notice

Solomon Elusoji

A strong indication of an industrial strike in the health sector emerged yesterday as members of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have vowed to embark on a nationwide strike if the federal government does not address their three discontentment.

According to the National Chairman, JOHESU, Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and National Secretary, JOHESU, Ekpebor Florence the decision was taken after their threeday consultative meeting in Abuja where it was resolved that the federal government should urgently revisit the constitution of the membership of the boards of all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) as the list of members published in December 2017 seriously violates the Teaching Hospital Act which provides that a representative of health providers must be appointed on all the boards.

The JOHESU/AHPA noted that the government did not appoint members of JOHESU/ AHPA on the boards despite the fact that a formal list was sent 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.

The JOHESU/AHPA lamented the delay tactics and alleged deliberate foot-dragging of the federal government in approving the adjustment of CONHESS scale as was done for CONMESS since January 2014 and also replicated with yet another approval for the same CONMESS in September, 2017 for the medical doctors.

They resolved to reconvene after 21 days of its communication to the federal government if there is no positive response and declared that after 21 days with effect from Thursday last week, it might no longer be in a position to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector.

JOHESU/AHPA appealed to its restive members for calm while the leadership appraises and monitor the resolve of the federal government to fully comply with the Terms of Settlement with JOHESU on September 30, 2017.