Few weeks after the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, suspended its nationwide strike, health workers under the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU, has called on the Federal Government to clarify her position on issues purportedly agreed upon, which contradicted the agreement reached with JOHESU.

In a press statement made available to Vanguard, National President, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, Mr. Felix Olukayode Faniran, who listed the grey areas of contradictions to include; the post of Deputy Chairman; appointment of Directors, approved skipping of CONMESS 3 for Medical and Dental Practitioners, Surgeon-General, appointment of Chief Medical Director and circular on retirement age, amongst others  recommended that to end the crisis in the Health Sector, Government should allow level-playing field for all health workers rather than discriminatory practices.

“Government should establish a level of trust and implement agreements promptly,” he stated.

Faniran, who frowned on what he described as incessant strike in the health sector, posited that the NMA and similar unregistered bodies should desist from illegal strikes and learn to comply with laws of the nation and relevant directives.

The JOHESU spokesperson, who further called for an all-encompassing stakeholders Forum, posited that the fact that the first victim of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, after the index (first) case, was a Nigerian Nurse showed clearly that other health workers are more exposed to hazards than medical doctors.

He added that the all encompassing stakeholders forum should be convened under impartial arbiters to solve all existing conflicts in the health sector.

Faniran, who stated that the general belief that patients only come to the hospital to see a doctor has been proven false by recent happenings in Nigeria called for team spirit and team work.

“We should be embraced by all health workers and patients’ interest, rather than self interest be taken into account at all times.

Faniran also appealed to Yayale Ahmed Committee to conclude her assignment soonest and her report be implemented immediately to save the health sector from unnecessary rivalry.

While lamenting the Ebola outbreak in the country, he said: “It must be placed on record that the commendable efforts of Governor Babatunde Fasola of Lagos State and the Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu towards effective eradication, containment and treatment of the deadly disease.”