Health Workers on Wednesday (May 24, 2023) protested in the Federal Capital Territory with a threat to embark on an indefinite strike from midnight if the Federal Government fails to meet their demands.
The workers under the umbrella of the Joint Health Workers Union are demanding the payment of hazard allowance, an adjustment in the Consolidated Health Salary Structure as done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure.
They are also demanding an end to the discrimination in the health industry among others.
Members of the union were seen brandishing placards with various inscriptions like ‘We want adjustment of CONHESS as was done for CONMESS’, and, ‘FMoH should stop discrimination in health industry’.
The JOHESU National Vice Chairman, Obinna Ogbonna, who spoke on behalf of the group, decried said several issues needed to be addressed as it concerns the union.
Recall that the National Association of Resident Doctors just ended a five-day warning strike, which began on May 17, to press home their demands after a 14-day ultimatum.
The doctors are demanding an immediate increment in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure to the tune of 200 per cent of the current gross salaries of doctors.
The doctors also want immediate massive recruitment of clinical staff in the hospitals, and immediate withdrawal of the bill seeking to compel medical and dental graduates to render five-year compulsory services in Nigeria before being granted full licences to practise; among others.
Speaking with our correspondent, the NARD President, Dr. Emeka Orji said, “We have heard the position of the government, and we have told them the position of NARD and we have discussed. They told us what they can do, and what they cannot do and why they can’t do those things with timelines, and we signed.
“So we will take back what the government offered to the NEC to accept or reject it and give further directives. Part of the MoU is that NARD will call its NEC in the next 48 hours and brief them on the outcome for them to decide.”
While the strike lasted, medical services were hampered in federal hospitals around the country.
Most of the medical facilities were manned by consultants, with help from other healthcare personnel
