Communiqué issued at the end of the meeting of the National Executive Council  of Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) held at Klasston Suites and Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State between 17th and 20th December, 2014.

 

The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) met at the Federal Teaching Hospital and Klasston Suites, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State between 17th and 20th December, 2014 for her National Administrative Council and National Executive Council meetings.

 

The National Executive Council deliberated extensively on various challenges affecting the Nation, the Health Sector and Socio –economic and welfare issues affecting members of the Union. The meeting was well attended by delegates from different states of the nation. NEC commended the Chief Medical Director, Management and Board of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) for receiving NAC members and provision of accommodation during the meetings.

 

The following decisions, resolutions and recommendations were made:

. State of insecurity in the country:

The National Executive Council (NEC) discussed extensively on the state of insecurity in the nation especially in the North Eastern part of the country and commended the government/military forces over their efforts. However, the insurgency appears to be progressing. We also noted the failure of the national assembly in extending the emergency rule. In the light of the above, we strongly appeal that government should redouble her efforts by motivating the military forces to increase their efforts while the dialogue option should not be thrown away. 

 

. 2015 General Election:

The NEC also discussed 2015 general election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure, free, fair, credible and peaceful conduct of the election while also appealing to the politicians and other participants to play the game according to the rules to ensure violent free exercise. 

 

. Threat to the Nation’s economy: 

Dwindling oil revenues and Austerity measures: While noting the recent dwindling oil revenues in the international market as it affects our economy, we strongly appeal to the governments of the Federation to apply shrewd and appropriate non – corrupt system of managing the nation’s resources in other to minimize negative effect on the workers welfare. 

 

. National Health Bill:

The NEC commended the President and the National Assembly for signing the National Health Bill into law and further urged the government to ensure that the law is implemented faithfully.

 

. Submission of Yayale Ahmed Presidential Committee Report:

The National Executive Council was happy to hear that the Committee submitted her report to Mr. President on the 19th December, 2014. NEC requested that the copies of the report should be made available for public consumption before the government white paper is issued on it.

 

. On Going Industrial Strike Action embarked upon by NUAHP/JOHESU:

The NEC noted that NUAHP commenced a strike on 16th October, 2014 and later joined by other Unions in JOHESU from 12th November, 2014 and therefore called on the government to accede to the Unions demands without any further delay. 

. Threat and Intimidation of our members:

The NEC was disturbed by the activities of government and agents of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) towards the incessant harassment and intimidation of our members who are on strike, whereas, our members are legitimately permitted by law to embark on industrial action to drive home our demands, you would recall that members of NMA whose Association is not legally registered as a trade union embarked on strike in July/August, 2014 without any molestation by government.

 

. No work, no pay Circular: 

NEC frowned at the circulars of no work, no pay issued in November and December, 2014 respectively by officials of Federal Ministry of Health. NEC observed that members of our Union are being victimized because they are not medical practitioners noting that when the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) embarked on strike between July and August, 2014, this kind of action was not taken against them despite the fact that these two bodies are not registered trade unions and were actually bared from embarking on strike by the judgement/ruling of National Industrial Court (NIC). Instead of losing their salaries, they were indeed rewarded with two extra months salary arrears on a new salary package. Presently, the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu and the Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Bida had withheld the November, 2014 salary of our members in these Institutions due to the November circular. The NEC is also calling on the management of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital to stop further intimidation and harassment of our members and immediately withdraw the queries issued to three (3) of the leaders of our Union for enforcing a national strike. The NEC sees this action as discriminating, double standard and an act of victimization. If this present action is not stopped now, it may fuel the on – going strike and worsen the inter – professional relationship among the sector workers.

 

The NEC therefore is calling on Mr. President and the honourable minister of health to prevail on the Director of  Hospital services to withdraw the “no work, no pay circular” she issued without permission and direct the Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of the institutions concerned who had or intended to implement this circular to stay action not to aggravate the present industrial unrest in the health sector. Similarly, a similar circular by the permanent secretary of the ministry should also be withdrawn.

 

. Principle of Collective Bargaining:

NEC is worried that workers right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is being wished away by agents of the Federal Government by refusing to honour collective bargaining agreements freely entered into since 2009  and other memoranda jointly signed by both government and our Unions. This is a dangerous trend which the National Assembly and Mr. president should look into.

 

. Health care Professional Association:

Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists (NACP) attended the meeting formally for the first time and indicated their intention of membership of NUAHP. The representatives of the two associations presented their association issues to the NEC which resolved to take them up as appropriate. It was further resolved to call a meeting of all Presidents/Secretaries of professional associations having members in NUAHP within the next six (6) weeks to discuss relevant and urgent matters affecting the various professional group members.

 

. National Delegates Conference: 

The NEC reiterated her earlier resolution that the National Delegates Conference of the Union should still come up between 7th and 10th of April, 2015 at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

 

. National President’s Request to Step Down Due to Retirement Age Dispute: 

The NEC resolved that Com. F.O. Faniran should continue to be in office as National President and ratified his earlier appointment as the Union’s consultant until April, 2015 when the National Delegates Conference would hold, thus, completing his second term in office.

 

Conclusion:

The NEC concluded by asking the government to establish a level of trust by implementing the agreements reached with the unions/court judgements while relevant circulars should be released immediately. The minimum conditions for suspending or calling off the ongoing NUAHP nationwide strike were stated as follows:

 

i. Immediate release of the circular on adjustment of salary.  

ii. Immediate payment of two (2) months arrears on newly adjusted salary structure with the promise to pay the remaining in 2015 budget.  

iii. Immediate release of circular on the payment of arrears on skipping of CONHESS 10 salary.

iv. Immediate circularization  of retirement age of healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years

v. Immediate payment of arrears of specialist allowance to all hospital based healthcare professionals who possess a relevant post graduate qualification i.e M.Sc, Phd, or post graduate fellowship who had attained the consultant grade level 14 in the public service or CONHESS 13 in the teaching hospital sector and above.

vi. Immediate release of circular amending the extant circular for Medical Laboratory Scientists interns to include post NYSC placement on grade level 09 step 2 and the upgrading of stale officers across board.

 

Signed:

Com. O.C. Ogbonna

National General Secretary

 

Com. F.O. Faniran

National President

 

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