Members of the Joint Health Sector Unions in Nigeria on Wednesday commenced an indefinite strike to press home their demands from the Federal Government.
At the University College Hospital, Ibadan, the union staged a protest around the facility, accusing the Federal Government of disobeying court judgments in favour of the union.
The Chairman of the union at the UCH, Olusegun Sotiloye, told one of our correspondents that the strike was national and that no medical service would be rendered by the members while the strike lasted.
He said, “The problem surrounds the Federal Government’s failure to implement a court judgment dating as far back as 2009 and 2012. We have made several entreaties but the FG has ignored all efforts to resolve the matters amicably. The FG has also showed insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.
“It is very unfortunate because we never wanted the strike to happen. However, it seems this is the only language that the government understands. It is a national strike, indefinite and total until the government accedes to our demands.
“The issues involved are quite many. We want upward adjustment of the CONHESS salary scale as it was done for other medical practitioners since 2014, employment of additional health workers and upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65. We also demand increased funding for the hospitals and procurement of medical equipment.”
Sotiloye said the union was also demanding that the headship of tertiary health institutions should be made open to all qualified health professionals, stressing that the union had been considerate, enduring the FG’s attitude towards its demands for six months after the expiration of a warning strike that was called in September.
The JOHESU leader in the UCH said another 30-day ultimatum was issued but the situation remained the same, leading to the decision to strike.
Similarly, health care services were hampered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State.
Family members were seen evacuating their relations to private hospitals.
The striking workers reportedly ignored the appeal by the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, to provide skeletal services.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity told one of our correspondents that over 1,800 members of the union at the institution joined the strike.
When contacted, the Chairman of JOHESU in the state, Ikenna Anahalu, insisted that the strike must continue.
He said, “We will not go against the directives of our national body. There must be 100 per cent compliance with the strike until our national body instructs otherwise.
“We were strictly warned not to go close to the hospital premises within the pendency of the strike.”
The Acting Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Dr Isaac Udoh, has however said that the hospital will operate skeletal services during the Joint Health Sector Union strike.
Speaking on Wednesday in Uyo, Udoh said he had secured the cooperation of all the doctors in the institution to give their best to ensure that patients receive treatments.
He added that only patients seriously in need of medical attention would remain in the hospital while those who were not seriously ill would be sent home.
The situation was not different in Edo, Kwara and Nasarawa states. Members of union at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, observed the strike.
The Chairman of the association at the UBTH, Mr. Augustine Osigbeme, said, “Yes, we are implementing the strike. The strike is to compel the government to fulfil the promises and signed agreement. The Federal Government should fulfil the agreement it signed with the unions.”
The management of the hospital urged JOHESU and the government to resolve the issues.
The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr. Joshua Uwaila, said, “It is no longer news that the health workers are on strike. We are looking at how things will unfold.
“We hope that the matter would be resolved in the interest of the country, especially the patients.”
In Nasarawa, health care services at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi were suspended.
The Chairman of the union in the centre, Mr. Achimugu Isaiah, said, “The primary aim of every health worker is to see that the welfare of patients is improved but health workers have no option but to embark on the strike in order to improve on the health status of Nigerians.”
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