JOHESU to FG: We’re not strike-mongers… act now before it’s too late

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) have asked the federal government to speed up efforts on the demands of health workers.

Biobelemoye Josiah, national chairman of JOHESU, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

On September 2, JOHESU had given the federal government a 15-day ultimatum to address its demands.

Following the expiration of the ultimatum on September 17, JOHESU, at the end of an expanded national executive council (NEC), issued another 15-day ultimatum to the federal government.

“NEC-in-session urges the Federal Government to reciprocate the patriotic humanitarian gesture of JOHESU in the interest of the larger Nigerian masses to expeditiously resolve all the demands within the fifteen days window,” JOHESU had said in a communique.

Giving an update on the 15-day ultimatum, Josiah asked the federal government to ensure that the issues raised are resolved in order to avoid closure of health facilities across the country.

“It is pertinent to draw the attention of the federal government to our fresh 15 days strike notice, which is billed to expire in the next few days, and for it to act to avoid a shutdown of hospitals and other healthcare facilities,” he said.

”We wish also to inform the general public that our NEC noted the appeal from President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to show understanding with his administration and the President’s pledge to pay any debt owed health workers.

”We would also wish to note some of the resolutions reached at the end of our meeting, to show that we are not strike mongers, but just for the federal government to act according to agreements reached.”

Josiah asked the federal government to provide new data for the computation of the adjusted Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for JOHESU members.

“This should be completed and submitted to the ‘High Level Body (HLB)’ of the federal government not later than Sept. 22, as agreed,” he said.

“We also urge the Federal Government to ensure that the HLB complete and submit the computation of the adjusted CONHESS for inclusion in the 2022 budget on or before the Sept. 30 submission window.

“We charged the federal government to reciprocate the patriotic humanitarian gesture of JOHESU in the interest of the larger Nigerian masses to expeditiously resolve all the demands within the 15 days window.

“While we push for better welfare and conditions of service for our members, we urge the federal government to reflect the promises of Mr President in the activities relating to our demands to ensure continuous industrial harmony in the health sector.”