Posted on: Thu 27-06-2019

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF HER SEVENTH (7TH) QUADRIENNIAL NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE HELD AT FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, KEFFI, NASSARAWA STATE BETWEEN 16TH AND 21ST JUNE, 2019.

PREAMBLE

The quadrennial national conference of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) tagged; Keffi Yamusa held between 16th and 21st June, 2019 at Hall 1 New Keffi Hotel, Nassarawa State. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Shehu Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa(Ph.D) III as Royal Father of the Day under the distinguished Chairmanship of Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

The key notes addressed titled “Building a Strong Health Team for Effective Service Delivery” was delivered by Dr. Dayom D. Wetkos (Ph.D) for the opening ceremony while the sub-theme titled “The Role of Traditional Rulers in Resolving Labour Matters” was delivered by His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Shehu Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa(Ph.D) III.

After series of deliberations, the following resolutions and recommendations were made:

STATE OF THE NATION

1. Security: The delegates at the conference strongly condemned the increased speed of kidnapping and unprovoked attacks by the Fulani herdsmen, boko haram and bandits in the country. In as much as we commend the Federal Government for it efforts in trying to curb this menace, we urge that more effort and commitment be put into ensuring that this ugly occurrences are totally eradicated.
2. 2019 General Elections: Delegates wish to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and all others who were successful in the general elections and wish them successful tenure in the office while we also appreciate those contestants who could not make it at the polls for accepting the outcome of the elections with the spirit of good sportsmanship.
3. 9^th National Assembly: The Delegates congratulate all the members of the 9th National Assembly, especially the principal officers; the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Lawan, Deputy President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo Agege, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Abdulhakim Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase. Delegates wished them a successful legislative tenure and request them during deliberation to look into the Decree 10 of 1985 now known as CAP 463 LFN 2004 that have bedeviled the health sector with a view to repealing it .
4. Minimum Wage: Delegates applauded the Federal Government for the approval of the new minimum wage but decried the fact that it was yet to be implemented in the nation so Government should ensure its immediate implementation and it should cut across both federal and state employed.
5. Outstanding Salaries: Delegates urged the Federal Government through the office of the SGF to expedite action on the payment of our members withheld April and May, 2018 salaries and all other withheld salaries.
6. Outstanding Arrears: Delegates observed with utmost dismay the abnormalities in the payment of the 2017/2018 promotion arrears. We urge the office of the accountant general to correct these abnormalities.

STATE OF THE UNION

1. Health Sector Reform: The delegates discussed with keen interest, the recently proposed health sector reform and wish to call the attention of the Federal Government to the following;

1. The health sector reform is a welcome idea that is long overdue.
2. The reform should not be characterized by direct or indirect privatization of existing Federal Government facilities as this will only take the health sector from frying pan to fire by taking affordable healthcare away from the reach of an average Nigerian. This will also have adverse effects on teaching and research which are part of the major purposes a teaching hospitals service.
3. The Government should ensure that all relevant stakeholders are carried along at every stage of the reform in order for the exercise to yield the expected result.

2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

1. The delegates are appreciative of the peaceful conclusion of the ADR. We hereby wish to call on the Federal Government to expedite action on the implementation as regard the areas of agreement as the time limit set by the court for the implementation of some has already elapsed.
2. The delegates observed with dismay the ADR could not reach an agreement over the major demands of the unions, like adjustment of CONHESS table, headship of departments, etc. These form the core of the demands. We therefore use this medium to call on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency address these areas of disagreement to ensure industrial peace in the health sector

3. Court Cases: The delegates observed with dismay, the disobedience of the Federal Ministry of Health to court judgements. It is appalling and disheartening to note that various court judgements in the union’s favour and that of her composite professional associations from courts of competent jurisdiction have been flagrantly disobeyed with impunity by the Honourable Minister of Health and the entire Federal Ministry of Health. We can readily count over fifteen (15) court judgements in favour of the Medical Laboratory Scientists that are yet to be implemented by the Government. We therefore request our dear president, President Muhammadu Buhari and the authorities concerned to order the FMOH to implement these judgments without any further delay in order to foster peace in the health sector.
4. Appointment of Ministers of Health: It is no more news that there is discrimination, marginalization, oppression and suppression of other healthcare professionals by the medical practitioners in the health sector. To worsen the situation, the Government through the sitting president usually appoint both the minister of health and the minister of state for health from among the medical practitioners while no consideration is given to other healthcare professionals who are active players in the health team.

The delegates therefore appeal to the Federal Government to please ensure that one of the two ministers be appointed from among the various other professionals that make up the health team in order for us to have an all-encompassing ministry which will give every player a sense of belonging. We hereby appeal that this request be given due consideration as the president is set to appoint new ministers into various ministries including our dear ministry of health.

5. Appointment of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Teaching Hospitals / Federal Medical Centres: The decree 10 of 1985 now known as CAP 463 LFN 2004 section 5, subsection 2 which reads in part “the Chief Medical Director shall be a person who is medically qualified and registered as such for a period not less than twelve (12) years, has had considerable administrative experience in matters of health and hold post graduate medical qualification obtained not less than five (5) years prior to the appointment as Chief Medical Director”. However, this law has been misinterpreted by the Federal Ministry of Health to mean that the post of Chief Executive Officer of Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres are exclusively meant for medical practitioners only. We therefore call on the Federal Government to prevail on the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure strict adherence to the true interpretation of the law whenever any vacant post of Chief Executive Officer of a Teaching Hospital or Federal Medical Centre is to be filled.
6. State Health Workers: Delegates condemned in strong terms, the withholding of salaries of our workers by some State governments, most especially Abia State government that are owing our members 10 months’ salary. Delegates advised such government to pay the backlog of such salaries so as to guarantee industrial harmony in such states. They commended State governments that have implemented CONHESS salary structure, and prayed them to commence enhanced CONHESS without delay.
7. Elections : The National delegate conference came to its climax with the elections of the union’s national officers, the following were elected to pilot the affairs of the union for the next four (4) years:

1. Com. Dr. Obinna Chimela Ogbonna              - President
2. Com. Mohammed Yandutse                          - Deputy President North
3. Com. PT. Dr. Sotiloye Olusegun. V               - Deputy President South
4. Com. Ibrahim Kamar                                    - Treasurer
5. Com. Aja Kelechi Chima                              - Financial Secretary
6. Com. Edwin Ohaekweiro                              - Public Relations Officer
7. Com. Bar. Happiness Ojiyi                            - Internal Auditor
8. Com. Josephine Kpalap                                - Women Leader
9. Com. Faniran Felix Olukayode                    - Immediate Past President

CONCLUSION

The delegates hereby implore Government at all levels to ensure that the protection of lives and properties is sacrosanct. They should also ensure that policies and programs that will bring succor to the workers and the generality of the people of Nigeria are implemented.

Delegates wish to use this medium to appreciate His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Shehu Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa (Ph.D) III, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Turakin Keffi), His Royal Highness Alhaji Jubril Ibrahim (Emir of Nassarawa), Hajiya Ramatu Ajiyi (Former Commissioner for Health, Nassarawa State), Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu (MD, FMC Keffi),

Prince Sule Iko Sani Sadiq (Chairman, Board of Management, FMC Keffi), Com. Jossiah B. Joy (JOHESU National Chairman), Dr. Dayom D. Wetkos and other dignitaries too numerous to be listed for gracing the occasion with their presence.

Signed:

Com. Dr. Ogbonna O. C

National President

Com. Ohaekweiro Edwin E.C.

National Public Relations Officer.

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