JOHESU urges action from Jonathan on health workers strike

• Medical director seeks end to protest

WORRIED by the silence from the Federal Government, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to accelerate action on the resolution of the issues that led to the strike action by health workers.

   The Union has also blamed what it described as the insensitivity of the Federal Government for the strike that has persisted for months now.

    Officials of JOHESU said in a statement in Abuja Sunday that government had refused to implement mutually signed agreements on diverse issues dating back to 2009 till date. The Union also accused government of not implementing four different court ruling and judgments in favour of JOHESU.

   Chairperson of JOHESU, Ayuba Wabba, alleged that government had failed to honour agreements reached with health workers for six years now, recalling that government met with JOHESU leaders late last December 2014 to discuss matters that led to strike by JOHESU.

    Meanwhile, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Chuku Abali has pleaded with JOHESU to call off or suspend the strike, as many lives have been lost due to the action.

    Abali during an interaction with journalists in his office recalled that the Federal Government team led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed was taking a holistic look at the problems in the health sector with a view to finding lasting solutions.

    He lamented the poor masses are the hardest and its resulting misery, anguish and loss of life to many homes especially those unable to afford the financial burden imposed by private medical consultation during the strike period.”

   Wabba continued “Among the issues resolved that day was the financial implication of the adjusted salary for JOHESU members which was confirmed to have been calculated for presentation to Mr. President for his approval within a period of two weeks and that the relevant circulars on the matter and others would be released.

    “Regrettably, it is five (5) weeks today at the time of this press release and the unions are still looking up to the government to reconvene the meeting.”

     She listed moves taken by JOHESU to further remind the government to reconvene the meeting to include reminder letters dated January 25, 2015. The letters, Wabba noted, were dispatched to the Ministers of Labour and Health. He said letters had also been dispatched to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others.

    “Prayers and fasting were observed by all JOHESU members nationwide on Tuesday 21st January, 2015. Sensitization rallies and press conferences were also held across the nation between January 21-28, 2015.”

     She narrated how a national rally scheduled planned for Abuja last Wednesday was put on hold to give room and respect for Mr. President who, he said had expressed his willingness to hold a meeting with the leadership of JOHESU to end the strike soonest.

    She expressed optimism that the strike would end soon if the President fulfills his promises, stressing, however, “It must be noted that JOHESU members have maintained absolute patience and restraint over the past six years while government has reneged on various agreements.