RE: LOCKING UP OF CLINICAL SERVICE POINTS AND EQUIPMENT IN THE HOSPITALS BY STRIKING JOHESU MEMBERS; A CALL FOR DECISIVE ACTION 

 

It is no longer news that healthcare professionals allied to medicine have embarked on strike to press home some demands which they termed legitimate but could best be described as spurious, what is news is the recent attempt by these striking workers to frustrate healthcare delivery services to the teaming masses of Nigeria by our members. 

We therefore observe and recommend as follows: 

I. That the striking allied health workers have resorted to undue brigandage and desperate antics in an attempt to prevent our members from offering healthcare services to Nigerians. They now lock up clinical service points and equipment thereby making it difficult for our members to operate smoothly within the hospital environment, and other disruptive acts including thuggery. We call on the CMDs/MDs of Government owned health facilities to provide adequate security for Doctors and contract staff who are currently offering services within the hospitals. 

 

2. The lies being peddled around by JOHESU regarding our members' emoluments is an attempt to hoodwink the public against Nigerian Doctors. 

 

3. The commendable directive of the Federal Ministry of Health to the Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Government health facilities to ensure service delivery during this trying period. 

 

4. We observe with dismay the maligning of the Honourable Ministers of Health and that of Labour and Productivity by JOHESU, calling them all sorts of uncomplimentary names, and the call by JOHESU for the removal of the Hon Min of Health. This act of rascality, disregard for these two offices and the call for the removal of the lion. Minister of health, has finally exposed their motive for disrupting the progress recorded in the Ministry of Health in the last 3 years of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. 

 

One wonders if the salary of JOHESU members is all that the Health Ministry is about. We therefore call on the Federal Government and its representatives including the lion Minister of Health and that of Labour and Productivity not to be distracted but continue to stand with the truth and international best practices in ensuring the improvement of the I lealth indices of Nigerians. 

 

5. We appreciate once again the National Assembly for the inclusion of 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund meant for basic health care provision to Nigerians in accordance with the dictates of the National Health Act 2014 into the 2018 appropriation bill. We believe His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, will sign the bill in a record time in his characteristic progressive nature. 6. We condemn these unbecoming actions of the striking allied health workers in strong terms and call on Government to call this amorphous group to order. 

 

In conclusion, the Nigerian Medical Association wishes to once again reiterate our desire to continue to offer seamless services to Nigerians, and call on Government to ensure conclusive working environment for our members. 

 

Thank you

 

Signed:

Dr. Francis A. Faduyile

President

 

Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote

Secretary General