All seem not to be well with the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, a front used by health workers in the country to collectively bargain with, and challenge government.

 

National Mirror gathered that since the Chairperson of the body, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, emerged President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, unity among constituent groups making the body has waned.

 

Our correspondent gathered that emergence of Wabba as NLC President has created huge vacuum difficult to fill in JOHESU.

 

“It is difficult for him (Wabba) to effectively combine the role of NLC leadership with that of health sector at this time that he himself still struggles to pacify some of the disgruntled persons in the NLC,” a source who pleaded anonymity claimed.

 

The source continued: “Wabba wields much influence in the health sector. His elevation to the NLC Presidency, though a good thing for professionals in the sector, is really affecting JOHESU.”

 

Election to fill Wabba’s seat in JOHESU has not taken place, as walls are still being mended over few elections that have taken place among the unions making up JOHESU in recent weeks.

 

A major signal that JOHESU no longer speaks with one voice is the current strike being embarked upon by the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP.

 

NUAHP disagreed with other members of JOHESU over whether or not to proceed on strike to pursue certain demands from the immediate past Federal Government.

 

 

Leaders of major health unions in the country namely Mr Kayode Faniran, NUAHP; Ayuba Wabba, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Godswill Okara, immediate past President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN; among others had met with former President Jonathan shortly before the last Presidential poll where they were given assurances by the President that their demands would be met after the elections.

 

Jonathan lost the elections; he never had time for the health workers again. Conscious of the implications of the scenario, National Mirror gathered that NUAHP suggested that JOHESU proceed on strike to make the Federal Government succumb to its demands. Only NUAHP succeeded with the decision, others refused to join.

 

Speaking with National Mirror, Secretary-General, JOHESU, Marcus Omokhuale denied crack in the union. He however admitted NUAHP disagreed with other constituents of JOHESU on strike and went ahead with it.

 

BY: MARCUS FATUNMOLE

THE PUNCH