Nigerian Health Workers' Union Directs Members to Begin Indefinite Strike

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the teaching hospitals and medical centres across the country on Wednesday directed its members in the country to begin an indefinite strike from tomorrow.

The JOHESU comprises five registered unions.

They are Non-Academic  Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWU), Senior Staff Association of Research Institutes and Associated Institution (SSARIAI), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives(NANNM).

The union said the decision to call out their members for strike was based on the alleged failure of the federal government to implement all agreements, memorandum of understandings (MoUs) and court judgements.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, National Chairman of the unions, Biobelemoye Josiah, accused the government to approve adjustment of CONHESS.

Josiah, however, urged members to hold rallies and meetings at all hospitals "everyday."

He said: "We once again appeal to the federal government to tow the path of honour and implement all agreements,

MoUs and court judgements while we urge our members at the tertiary health level to make the strike total and comprehensive.

"In the event that no appreciable response is received from government within 15 days of the strike by the federal tertiary health institutions, all our members in the state and local governments nationwide are directed to join the action by September 28.

"We call on well-meaning Nigerians to put pressure on the government to give into our demands, while we appeal to the Nigerian masses to bear with us in this struggle to improve health care services in country.”

 The strike is tagged: ‘Operation alligator bite'.

 Josiah added that "series of MoUs, agreements and court cases which JOHESU and its unions won at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria “were never implemented for our members while court judgements on skipping the medical doctors who were never a part of the struggle nor proceedings.

"JOHESU has been very patient with the federal government since 2012 and series of ultimatums were issued to draw the attention of the government to our plight but no commensurate attention was given, instead our demands were either jettisoned outright, treated with disdain, intimidated with court action or the quick application of no work no pay."