THE Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, warning that it would embark on a nationwide strike if its demands are not met.
The group made its decision known in a memo titled, “Notice of 15 days ultimatum and resumption of suspended strike action,” addressed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate.
In the memo dated October 9, 2024, and signed by the national chairman of the organisation, Kabiru Minjibir, and its national secretary, Martin Egbanubi, JOHESU said it would resume its suspended strike on October 25, if the government fails to meet its demands.
According to the body, the 15-day ultimatum is necessitated by the refusal of the Federal Government to address its members’ plights.
The body also pointed out that these issues were the cause of the strike that occurred from May 19 to June 6, 2023, which was suspended following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
It outlined several demands, including the immediate implementation of CONHESS adjustment, immediate payment of 25 per cent CONHESS review arrears, and immediate payment of nine months (January – September 2024) salary to staff of regulatory agencies.
It also seeks immediate restoration of funding to the Environmental Health Regulatory Council, reconstitution of Boards/Governing Councils of FHIs (Federal Health Institutions), and the commencement of the process to upwardly review the retirement age of health workers through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Others include a tax waiver on allowances for healthcare workers, prompt payment of COVID-19 hazard inducement allowances to health workers who were excluded, immediate suspension of the planned establishment and activities of the NHFRA (National Health Facility Regulatory Agency), the retraction of the DRF (Drug Revolving Fund) SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the implementation of approved entry-level, call duty, and other allowances for those holding a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
The memo added, “Consequently, arising from the unanimous resolution of JOHESU expanded national executive council at a hybrid meeting held on 2nd October 2024, and in compliance with the provisions of Section 41 of the Trade Disputes Act Cap.T8 LFN, 2004, JOHESU is constrained to give the Federal Government of Nigeria 15 days ultimatum with effect from Thursday, 10th October 2024, and to inform you that with effect from midnight of Friday, October 25, 2024, all our members in the Federal Health Institutions shall embark on seven days strike action.
“However, if at the end of the seven-day warning strike, the Federal Government fails to meet our demands, JOHESU has no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action.
Previously,reports had it that the union went on strike from May 19 to June 6, 2023, during which healthcare services in public hospitals were nearly paralysed.
The strike was, however, suspended after Tinubu pledged to intervene in the matter.
This organisation reported how doctors and other health workers embarked on strike for approximately 300 days between 2013 and 2021.
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