Posted on: Wed 29-09-2021

There are indications that the federally-owned hospitals might be shut down by the weekend if government fails to address demands of health workers.

Reacting yesterday via a statement at the aftermath of its 15-day ultimatum, the national chairman of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, observed: “It is pertinent to draw the attention of the Federal Government to our fresh 15 days strike notice, which is billed to expire in the next few days and for it to act to avoid a shutdown of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

“We wish also to inform the general public that our National Executive Committee )(NEC noted the appeal from President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to show understanding with his administration and the President’s pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.”

THIS comes as the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) gave the President Muhammadu Buhari administration conditions it must meet before calling off its 59-day old strike.

In a resolution, issued by its President, Secretary General and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Dare Godiya Ishaya, Dr. Suleiman Abiodun Ismail and Dr. Alfa Yusuf, the body submitted: “After critical appraisal of the performances of both the federal and state governments on all the issues that led to the ongoing strike as stated above, the Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM) unanimously resolved by vote to continue the total and indefinite strike action until our minimum demands are met.”

The meeting, particularly, urged the government to pay “Medical Residency training within 72 hours since the money meant for it is available and verification of the list for payment has been completed; payment of the arrears of salaries of our members on GIFMIS platform within 72 hours while the migration process continues; withdrawal of the case against us in court in the interest of peace, and payment of our withheld August and September salaries.

The medics said the central government should prevail on states to urgently pay arrears and allowances of their members in state-owned tertiary health institutions.

The meeting also urged the current administration to consider universal implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) in training institutions nationwide.

It called on all well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to set aside all technicalities and resolve the demands in the interest of the masses.

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