Health workers suspend three-month strike

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has called off its three-month nationwide strike.

Ayuba Wabba, the chairman of the union, announced this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, saying the body arrived at the decision after the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Wabba directed members to resume work immediately.

“The strike has been on for the past three months, we had series of meetings driven by the Ministry of Labour where we discussed that a three-person committee headed by the minister of health, should address the demands,” he said.

“We had a meeting with the president yesterday and we had his commitment. We have no doubt that the commitment will be made and as people that are responsible, we had a meeting and concluded that having reached that level and demonstration of his goodwill, we have no option but to suspend the strike.”

Wabba said that the president assured the union members that no member would be victimised in any form arising from the legitimate strike.

He said the president had promised to resolve issues that led to the strike.

Wabba listed the demands to include implementation of presidential committee report on harmony in the health sector, promotion of health professionals from CONHESS 14 to 15 and request for implementation of 2008 job evaluation committee report.

He said others were the review of the retirement age from 60 to 65 years and reconstitution of boards of federal teaching and specialist hospitals with equitable representation of union and professional associations.

Wabba said the federal government has well documented reports of all issues of the union and also signed an agreement.

“It is therefore our hope to build quality healthcare service to the people, with intervention of the President we hope all our issues will be implemented,” he said.

“Before now, our members cannot go beyond level 14 and 15 which is not suppose to be so, we have been limited. It is not just about Naira and Kobo, but how we can mobilise the human resources for health; we want union members not to be limited.”

Wabba urged Nigerians to appreciate the demands for improved facilities and infrastructure in public health institutions by the union as of public right.

JOHESU comprises the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, and Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals.

Others are Research Institutes and Associated Institutions; Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Professions Allied to Medicine, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions.