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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Few days after medical doctors under the umbrella of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) ended their nationwide strike over alleged unfair treatment from the Federal Government, their counterpart, health workers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (AHPA), have threatened to embarked on nationwide strike beginning from midnight (Wednesday), over unfair labour treatment.
The Unions’ decision followed the expiration of 15-day ultimatum reportedly issued to the Federal Government in a letter dated 9th May 2023, requesting for urgent action on highlighted issues of concern to the workers, particularly the issue of salary and other welfare packages.
The workers, thus held a peaceful protest in Abuja, on Wednesday, to register their discontent and remind government and stakeholders of their needs and plans to cause industrial disharmony in the public health facilities.
Acting National Secretary of JOHESU, Comrade Matthew Ajorutu, who led the protest in Abuja, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage the situation and ensure he approves and implement the technical committee report on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) before leaving office.
He registered the Unions’ displeasure over government’s failure to meet other demands, notably, non-payment of hazard allowance, end to discrimination in health industry, CONHESS adjustment as done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) amongst others.
The Union leader, however, accused the last three health ministers, Onyebuchi Chukwu (2011-2015); Prof. Isaac Adewole (2015-2019); and the present Minister Dr. Ehanire Osagie (2019-2023); who were medical doctors, of deliberately truncating adjustment of CONHESS on four occasions within the last 12 years.
He said: “collective bargaining agreement between the Federal Government and JOHESU established strongly that once there is an adjustment in any of the salary structure, the other structure should be adjusted commensurately.
“The last three successively Physician Health Ministers in the 12 years, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (2011-2015); Prof. Isaac Adewole (2015-2019); and the present Minister Dr. Ehanire Osagie (2019-2023); deliberately truncated the efforts on four occasions since January 2, 2014, when the first adjustment of CONMESS for Physicians took place and subsequently in 2017, 2018 and now May, 2023.
“This social injustice and discriminatory adjustment championed by the federal ministry of health in favour of the Physicians and to the great disadvantage of other health workers led to a trade dispute declared by JOHESU in September, 2021. This dispute was however apprehended by the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, on 7th September, 2021.
“Upon resumption of negotiation on 19th September, 2021, both parties agreed to the setting up of inter-ministerial committee to determine the justification for the adjustment of CONHESS, work out a detailed financial implication and make appropriate recommendations.
“The technical committee report has since been submitted to the federal ministry of health for onward transmission to the Federal Executive Council, but the Ministry was yet to do that.”
He, thus, appeal to President Buhari to immediately approve and implement the technical committee report on the adjustment of CONHESS so there can be justice, fairness and peace in the public health care system.
Meanwhile, the health workers raised the alarm that corruption was fast eating deeper into the fabrics of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in the health sector, and the agencies have allegedly become conduit pipes for embezzlement of public funds, in addition to obvious incompetence in delivering on their mandates.
