JOHESU strike: Give immediate attention to our demands, health workers tell FG

Health workers at federal health institutions in Lagos on Thursday said they will continue to render skeletal services to patients during the indefinite strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).

At the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOHI), Igbobi Lagos, few patients were seen around the hospital premises and doctors were attending to them.

Mr Tade Oyedele, Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), NOHI chapter, urged the government to be proactive without any further delay.

JOHESU, with membership drawn from five affiliate unions, commenced a nationwide strike by midnight of April 18.

The group, is asking for the immediate implementation of the agreement signed with the Federal Government on their demands which included a good salary structure, payment of outstanding salaries and uniform allowances.

Oyedele said: “As far as JOHESU is concerned, we have tried all available means to get the situations resolved.

“There has been a voluntary agreement between the government and JOHESU; but, from then till now, which is up to six months, nothing tangible has been done.

“It is a pity that the patients will bear the impact of the whole issue but we have no option than to use the weapon that we have to fight for our rights.”

Also, Mrs. Temitope Alabi, Secretary, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), NOHI Igbobi chapter, told our correspondent that government should be responsible for the health of every Nigerian.

“The Federal Ministry of Health, Labour and Productivity should be responsible for the health of an average Nigerian; they should be leaders by example, by keeping to their agreement.

“If after six months of a mutual agreement between the government and JOHESU, which was promised to be met in five weeks still ended in a strike, then it is sad”, she said.

Mr Fagbemi Olakunle, Secretary, Medical and Health Workers Union, NOHI, urged concerned government officials to intervene in order to avert regrettable effects on patients and the general public.

“It is painful that we are embarking on this strike; our members are very concern about the health of our patients.

“However, the federal government has strained us into embarking on this strike; we want to call on well- meaning Nigerians to please intervene,’’ Olakunle said.

When The Daily Times visited the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, only senior health officers were seen attending to patients.

The out-patients department was empty as there were no workers at the health records unit to bring out the files of patients.

Also, the emergency department was offering skeletal services; no nurse was seen at the reception to attend to the few patients who came in.

Other departments including the pharmacy and laboratory were closed, however, only the senior pharmacists were administering drugs to some patients.

Mr Eke Uzondu, South-Western Coordinator, Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, Yaba Chapter, told our correspondent that the health workers constituted 90 per cent of the health workforce.

At the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute- Meta, work was still skeletal, even as the unions called for government’s intervention.

Mr Shehu Suleiman, Chairman, JOHESU, FMC Ebute- Meta Chapter, said: “ This industrial action was necessitated by the federal government, especially the Federal Ministry of Health’s (FMoH) inability to implement our agreement.

“The Buhari-led administration is doing a lot to ensure that workers get their dues but the FMoH is slowing their efforts.

“Six months ago, we had an agreement with the FMoH of which they promised to implement; however, they ignored our agreements but rather, they kept releasing circulars for doctors; it is total partiality.

Also speaking on the strike, Mr Wole Akinwunmi, Secretary, SSAUTHRIAI, FMC,Ebute Meta Chapter, said: “Our demands are very simple and it is majorly on salary structure which should be reviewed in line with all health professionals.

“For eight years, we have been on the same salary structure which necessitated the call for the review,’’ Akinwunmi said.

Mr Sunday Adegoke, Chairman, Medical and Health Workers’ Union (MHWUN), FMC Ebute Meta Chapter, also called on the government to be sensitive to the demands and fulfill the agreement signed on the salary adjustment scheme.

“It is only the presidency that can call all the ministry’s authorities to order because a lot of patients might suffer for this action,’’ Adegoke said.

At the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Mrs Yemisi Adelaja told our correspondent that efforts made by the union to get the FG to implement the agreements reached had not been positive.

Adelaja, who is the Chairperson, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), LUTH Chapter, said that the federal government should immediately intervene to avoid further deterioration of the nation’s health sector.