A prolonged nationwide strike is now imminent in the health sector, as the threat of the industrial strike by health workers, under the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and the Assembly of Health Care Professional Association (AHPA), has pitched them against medical doctors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
While JOHESU directed all other health workers to be on “red alert” for action if the government failed to meet their demands as recently agreed, the NMA sought the involvement of security agencies and called for their intervention.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, in Abuja, JOHESU said: “To this end therefore, we want to appeal to our members to have trust in the leadership of JOHESU, that the decisions taken in honour and respect for the new administration was also in the best interest of our teeming members and the nation at large, despite our sufferings. “However, members are hereby put on red alert for action if the Federal Government reneges on her promises;
“We seize this opportunity to appeal to the general public whose interest we have considered to give the extension of the ultimatum to impress it on the government to keep to her promises.”
The health workers had earlier issued a 15-day ultimatum which ended last Wednesday, to resolve the contentious issues or face a strike action.
However, after a prolonged meeting with the Federal Government at the instance of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, James Ocholi, JOHESU accepted to give another 21-day grace to the government to address the issues.
National chairman of JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah, who read the communique issued at the end of a 2-day meeting of both JOHESU and AHPA, said the health workers resolved to give a benefit of doubts to the Federal Government to fulfill its promise, following the appeal made to them by the minister of state of labour and employment and the minister of state for health.
However, in a swift reaction, the medical doctors said they are aware that some members of the Allied Health Workers were planning to withdraw their services from hospitals nationwide.
A statement signed by chairman, publicity and publication committee of NMA, read: “This communication is released as a conscious effort to inform the Nigerian people that medical doctors are reporting promptly and available at their duty posts. “We are carrying out the responsibilities of saving lives as much as possible within the limits of available facilities and resources provided by the hospitals.”
“The NMA will, however, wish to caution that issues which have been concluded in the past negotiations or supported by government circulars and memoranda should not be reinvented or distorted in this impasse.
“We also call on the law enforcement agencies to intensively guarantee protection of doctors in the discharge of their legitimate duties.”
By: Soji-Eze Fagbemi
Tribune News
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