Federal Government’s effort to stop the ongoing strike embarked upon by  health workers on Thursday has failed.

The meeting between the two parties did  not yield any positive  result as the health workers insisted on continuing the nationwide strike.

Workers, under the umbrella of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), said it was left with no other choice since the government failed to do its own part of the bargain.

NUAHP is the umbrella body of physiotherapists, medical laboratoryscientists, pharmacists, medical imaging scientists/radiographers, dietitians, dental technologists, dental therapists, occupational therapists, optometrists, medical social workers, clinical psychologists, among others, excluding the National Medical Association (NMA).

NUAHP President, Felix Faniran, told journalists in Abuja at the end of the meeting with the Federal Government delegation led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Wdnesday night  that “the srike is on.”

He said there was no sign that  government wanted to address the issue, explaining that while the meeting lasted, there was nothing on the table to show that government was willing to provide solution.

Faniran noted that apart from the fact that the agreements reached with us last year August had not been  implemented, “new demands have been made and they are yet to be addressed.”

The union’s demands are: appointment of chief medical directors and wrong advertorials on the posts; need to abolish the post of Deputy Chairman, Advisory Committee illegally created and others.

By: Vincent Ikuomola

The Nation