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Tag: JOHESU

  • FMC Keffi, OAUTHC joins JOHESU strike

    Members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State has joined the nationwide indefinite strike called by their union.

    Similarly, JOHESU members at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun, have also joined the industrial action.

    The JOHESU National Vice Chairman, Mr Obinna Ogbonna, and Chairman of FMC Keffi branch, Mr Achimugu Isaiah, confirmed this on Wednesday in Osogbo and Keffi, respectively, to our reporter.

    The union leaders said that all the health workers complied with the strike, except medical doctors who are providing skeletal services.

    Some of the demands of the union include upward adjustment of salary scale, employment of additional health professionals, review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, implementation of court judgment, among others.

    Isaiah said that they decided to join their colleagues in the strike following a directive from the national body.

    “The primary aim of every health worker is to see that the welfare of patients is improved, but health workers have no option rather than to embark on the strike in order to improve on the health status of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    He said that in September 2017, the Federal Government and JOHESU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the promised that they will within five weeks implement the demands of the union.

    “This is the sixth month and nothing has been done by the federal government. We have been given the mandate by our national body to embark on a full strike.

    “It is on this note and based on the strength and power given to me by sister unions, I declare the indefinite strike as directed by our national body,” he said.

    According to him, “No implementation, no coming back to work. I want to direct all unit heads to lock your offices and hand over keys to your head of departments and any of our member found wanting will be sanctioned’’.

    Isaiah added that the strike was in the best interest of the public, especially the poor.

    The chairman called on the federal government to meet up with the demands of the union in order to improve on the health status of Nigerians.

    Reacting, Dr Luka Samuel, the Acting Medical Director of FMC Keffi, appealed to JOHESU to have a rethink and return to work in the interest of the health sector.

    Samuel reminded them that the strike would only bring untold hardship to many Nigerians, especially the less privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services.

    In Osogbo, Ogbonna told members that the union decided to join the strike due to the alleged failure of the Federal Government to honour agreements with the body.

    The national official recalled that the federal government had on Sept. 30, 2017, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the union on its demands which, according to him, was to be implemented within five weeks.

    “It will be recall that JOHESU suspended its last nationwide strike action on Sept. 30, 2017, after the signing of an MoU with the union.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, our demands are upward adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), employment of additional health workers, implementation of court judgment, upward review of retirement age from 60 to 65, among others.

    “However, it is disheartening to note that after six months after the suspension of our last strike and still counting, the federal government has not done anything tangible over the issues”.

    Ogbonna, who is also the President of Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), explained that the union had to embark on the indefinite strike after the 30 days working ultimatum given to the federal government expired.

    “JOHESU unions hereby direct all her members in all federal health institutions to proceed on an indefinite strike.

    “States and Local Government health institutions are by this placed on red alert and are to continue intense sensitisation and mobilisation of members for possible entry into the fray if the government foot drags in attending to our demands,” he said.

    Ogbonna, however, called on Nigerians to prevail on government to meet its demands as agreed.

    JOHESU consists of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), Senior Staff Association of University Teaching Hospitals, among others.

  • Strike: JOHESU is illegal, say doctors

    Doctors say they will not join a proposed strike by other workers in the health sector.

    The doctors through the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) also described the union of the other health workers, JOHESU, as illegal.

    JOHESU, which includes all health workers except doctors and dentists, announced on Monday it will commence an indefinite strike later tonight.

    At a press briefing on Tuesday, the NMA president, Mike Ogirima, warned the government against acceding to JOHESU’s demands.

    He said doctors will not join the strike and that the strike is targeted at medical doctors.

  • Health workers begin nationwide strike April 7

    Health workers in Nigeria under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) would commence an indefinite strike on April 7.

    The Vice President of JOHESU, Mr. Chimele Ogbonna, stated this on Thursday when he led national officials of the body on a sensitization visit to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

    “This strike is against our wish, but the Federal Government has failed to honour series of agreements with the workers from 2009 to 2017.

    “We have given the federal government an ultimatum of 30 working days that commenced on March 5 and will end on April 7.

    “If the agreements with JOHESU in 2009, 2014 and 2017 are not honoured, we will embark on indefinite nationwide strike.

    “The strike will be total and affect all health institutions from federal, state and local governments,” he said.

    The JOHESU vice president listed the issues that necessitated the pending industrial action to include failure to adjust CONHESS scale, skipping of CONHESS 10, and non- implementation of court judgements.

    Ogbonna said the health workers had explored all avenues for amicable settlement of the issues and were left with no other option on the matter.

    Other issues, according to him, included same scale promotions aberration, unpaid promotions arrears, skewed appointment of Chief Medical Directors and Chairmen of Medical Advisory Committee, among others.

    He said JUTH was chosen for the sensitization in the North Central because it was considered a very strong hospital in the region.

    NAN

     

  • Don’t default on agreement with health workers, JOHESU tells FG

    The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has advised the Federal Government not to default or dishonour its agreement reached with members of the union.

    JOHESU Chairman, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Comrade Stephen Oricha, in a petition made available to The Nation, in Abuja urged the federal government to disregard claims by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), on allegations that could make the government neglect its initial position that led to the suspension of the last JOHESU strike action.

    According to him, the NMA on 1st October, 2017 allegedly petitioned the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige rejecting most of the terms of settlement reached between the federal government and JOHESU on Saturday 30th September, 2017.

    “We want to sincerely advise that the federal government should toe the path of honour and respect the terms of our agreement that led to the suspension of this industrial action. The consequences of reneging on account of threats by the NMA, would be better imagined than real,” he said.

    In a letter addressed to the Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, with a signature of Oricha and the UATH JOHESU Secretary, Comrade Paulina Usman, the union leaders identified main causes of controversies in the health sector. These included agitations for payment of long standing entitlements, recognition of professional autonomy, career progressions, preferential treatment among other welfare related issues.

    He highlighted the consistent discrimination between the resident medical doctors and health workers, drawing attention to the fact that both health officials passed through the university, yet prominence is being given to one group without considering the other.

    It could be recalled that on 4th September, 2017 the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) embarked on a strike action followed by the JOHESU on 21st September.

    He blamed successful administrations especially under the Federal Ministry of Health for refusing to admit the fact that the resident doctors cannot solely provide needed medical services but with strong supports from the health workers, thus working as a team to deliver health care services.

    He listed the purported low level workers to include Pharmacists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Health Information Officers, Optometrists, Nutritionists/Dieticians, Administrative and Finance Officers, Dental Therapists/Technologists and every other worker except Medical Doctors.

    “Under past leadership at different levels of government and especially at the supervising ministry (Ministry of Health), a deaf ear was consistently turned to our attempts to argue that health sector is an amalgam of many equally important stake holders in the business of promotion of health, prevention of illness, care of the sick and rehabilitation,” Oricha said, adding that, “Compared to a Pharmacist/Medical Laboratory Scientist who joins the public service at CONHESS 09 which is equivalent to Grade level 10, a Medical Officer enters into the same service at CONMESS 02 equivalent to CONHESS 11, Grade level 12.

    “A newly appointed Consultant after 5 to 6 years of post MBBS training, enters into the service at CONMESS 5/4 equivalent to CONHESS 13, Grade level 15. Assuming the Pharmacist/Laboratory Scientist gets promotion at regular intervals of three years, he or she would have spent at least nine (9) and twenty (20) years in service respectively before catching up with a newly recruited Medical Officer and a Consultant at their points of entry into the service; not minding all relevant degrees, post graduate degrees and experiences such officer may have acquired,” he added.

    However, the union lauded the new administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, for its effort to promoting rule of law that guarantee justice, equity and fairness to all in the health industry.

    He said since government resolution on the last strike action by JOHESU is being considered, there are rising concerns due to a letter allegedly written by the NMA to disregard the health workers demands.

    “While we don’t intend joining issues with NMA, sweeping the issues they raised under the carpet, will flame up their folly, mislead the unsuspecting members of the public and further deepen the crisis that already existed,” he said.

    He cited an instance that between 2009 and 2014, members of NMA enjoyed inflated salary review to the exclusion of others that made up JOHESU, mentioning circulars reference numbers, “SWC/S/04/S.410/vol.II/349 dated 8th December, 2009 and SWC/S/04/S.176/vol.II/466 dated 3rd January, 2014.”

    The union further advised the federal government to disregard the petition written to it by the NMA, asking the government to forfeit the agreement reached. He attributed this to hatred and envy from the resident doctors.

  • Health workers suspend strike

    Health workers suspend strike

    Striking health workers under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on Tuesday suspended its 13- day old strike and ordered its members nationwide to go back to their places of primary assignment from October 5.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman, Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and one Florence Ekpebor, the health workers said they have received all documents relating to the agreement with the Federal Government.

    It directed all five members unions of JOHESU to hold their various congresses on Wednesday to bring the content of the signed agreement to the attention of their members while preparing to resume work on Thursday.

    The statement reads: “Sequel to the receipt of the agreed circulars as part of the terms of settlement reached between the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), on Saturday 30th September, 2017, to end the strike which was suspended in principle, after the signing of the terms of settlement; a special meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the unions in JOHESU rose at 7.00 p.m. today, 3rd October, 2017, and resolved to inform members that copies of the signed agreement as well as the released circulars from the Federal Ministry of Health are being sent to all unions and branches of the unions comprising JOHESU.

    “All branches are to hold their congresses tomorrow, Wednesday, 4th October, 2017, and bring the contents of the agreement and the circulars to the attention of members and thereafter, prepare to resume their duties on Thursday, 5th October, 2017.

    “JOHESU wishes to thank members for their resolute stance to fight for their rights and assure them of our resolve at all times to provide good leadership as a deliberate policy of reciprocating such dutiful and loyal followership.

    “We thank the government for building confidence into our membership by giving us positive glimpses that they would redeem other contents of the terms of settlement agreed at the negotiation on 30th September, 2017, especially, the five weeks moratorium agreed for the review of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and other salient issues contained therein.”

     

     

     

  • LUTH workers protest as JOHESU begins strike

    LUTH workers protest as JOHESU begins strike

    Health workers at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the commencement of the nationwide strike embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU).

    The union, whose membership included other hospital workers apart from doctors, were demanding payment of their promotion and salary arrears as well as teaching and uniform allowances, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four affiliate unions of JOHESU participated in the peaceful protest at the Idi Araba premises of LUTH.

    These were the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) participated in the protest, Medical and Health Workers’ Union(MHWUN) and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).

    Mr Kehinde Adegoke, Lagos State Coordinator of JOHESU, said that the indefinite strike became necessary following Federal Government’s failure to meet the union’s demands after a seven-day ultimatum.

    Related: LUTH, LASUTH open for patients

    “The Federal Ministry of Health has been frustrating the implementation of the court’s judgement by introducing same scale promotion.

    “As we speak, the federal government has not paid arrears of the skipping salaries to our members.

    “We expect government to attend to every issue raised in the health sector and not separate one association from another.

    “It is unfortunate because we really feel for the patients but there is nothing we can do because our members can no longer exercise patience, “he said.

    Chairman of LUTH Chapter of JOHESU, Mr Johnson Shaba, said that efforts made through several committees to get the federal government to implement the agreements reached were been frustrated.

    “We have tried our best to make sure that government answers us and honour all the agreements that had been on the ground since 2012.

    “Doctors are now the one enjoying our struggles on skipping allowance and we were the ones who went to court to fight for it

    “We are saying `enough is enough’ because everybody is important in the health sector,” Shaba said.

    Also, LUTH Chapter Chairman, NUAHP, Mr Adegoke Akinfeleye, said that all health professionals deserved equal rights and service condition for stability.

    “We sued the federal government to court for skipping of levels, appointment of consultants from other health professionals and professional autonomy, “he said.

    LUTH Chapter Chairperson of NANNM, Mrs Yemisi Adelaja, said that the strike was to draw Federal Government’s attention to the plight of workers in the health sector.

    “We are fighting for our rights because federal government refused to meet our demands since 2012.

    “The threat of `no work no pay’ can never scare us because we are not cowards and it is a national strike and not individual association’s strike

    “Other associations went on strike and nobody threatened them,” Adelaja said.

    NAN reports that among other JOHESU demands were payment of skipping arrears and review of the CONHESS table and elongation to accommodate CONHESS 16.

    When Contacted, LUTH Public Relations Officer, Mr Kelechi Otunme, said that the management of the institution was yet to react to the protest.

  • UATH, national hospital  joins JOHESU strike action

    UATH, national hospital  joins JOHESU strike action

    The Chairman, National Association of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Steve Oricha has said the union is in solidarity with the indefinite strike action code named ‘operation alligator bite.’

    He said during the protest, on Thursday, at the hospital in Abuja that the protest was in compliance with directive issued by the national body to commence nationwide indefinite strike action.

    Oricha said a 30-day notice was earlier given to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health, followed by another seven days without any response.

    He noted that until the federal government honours the agreement, which the union had been demanding, the protest will continue.

    According to him, JOHESU demanded for a review in salary structure, promotion and most importantly for the federal government to honour a National Industrial Court judgment on irregular promotion method among other 19 demands.

    He argued that since 2010 when the judgment was made, the federal ministry of health has refused comply.

    His words: “There are almost 23 demands by the national Johesu. It includes the payment of arrears, adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), promotion of our colleagues that are due to be promoted to directorship. It also include, recognizing our members who have risen to that peak of their careers as consultant.

    “We want government to also replicate the residency training and other interventions in other segment of the health sector in our union. For instance, we both graduated from the same university, spent the same five years. We got employed at the same time but as I was employed, government gave me CONHESS 8 but a medical doctor is given CONHESS 13. Why is that disparity?”

    He argued that the federal government would thereafter train the medical doctors on through what he described as residency training for five years, adding that upon arrival, the doctors are promoted.

    “No other categories in the health sector have the same privilege. The federal government also sends house officers to various universities and teaching hospitals for internships leaving other professionals to go scout themselves, meanwhile the health workers offers the same services to the people,” he added.

    Also, at  the National Hospital, Abuja health workers  pushed  home their demands, as  nurses staged a rally.

    The rally, which in collaboration with other health workers was held at the hospital premises, thereby disrupting activities.

    They were joined by the FCT Chairperson, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Comrade Deborah Yusuf  and the National Chairman, Federal Health Institutions Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Wale Olatunde, and some members of their executives.

    Terver Upu, the chairman of both JOHESU, and the  National Association of Nigerian Nurses, National Hospital Branch said nurses at the hospital has stopped clinical services in compliance  with national directives.

    He said that infrastructural decay, lack of drugs and equipment in hospitals, injustice to nurses and denial or remuneration and arrears was the reason they embarked on the industrial action.

    Comrade Deborah Yusuf, Federal Capital Territory Chairperson, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, said that nurses and other helath professionals under JOHESU have withdrawn their services indefinitely in all federal health institutions in the FCT and nationwide, adding  “We suspended the same  strike, two years back but  nothing has been done to address it till now, even after series of meeting with them. We have been patient enough.”

    Chairman of  the Federal Health Institutions sector of the  National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Wale Olatunde  said government’s denial of skipping for nurses and  owing them arrears was not fair when it allows same for even students and other professionals.

    Nurses in the Federal health facilities were  directed to join strike action after  a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on Tuesday, where the leadrship of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) threw it’s weight behind  JOHESU and directed it members to join the indefinite strike action by today’s  midnight  20th of September 2017.

    JOHESU has issued an ultimatum to embark on strike action starting from midnight today should the government fails to address it’s demand.

    NANNM who warned of imminent shutdown of the health facilities across the country, also directed nurse at the states and Local government to join the strike one week after.

    Briefing Journalists in Abuja, President of the union, Abdrafiu Adeniji said “Finally, it should be noted that the continuous peace and harmony in the health sector can no longer be guaranteed if the Federal Government fails to abide by the various agreements reached since 2012 for the betterment of Nursing Profession and the Health Sector in general.

    Therefore, all Nurses and Midwives in all Federal health Institutions are hereby directed to join other JOHESU members to proceed on an indefinite strike action from midnight of Wednesday, 20th of September 2017.”

    The union listed some of it’s demand to include: “Chronic shortage of  both general and specialist manpower in our various institutions  Inadequate provision of medical consumables  and services in an attempt to promote PPP for personal and selfish reasons
    Stagnation/Redesignation/Demotion of our members contrary to 2012 & 2014 NIC Judgments on career progression  and skipping
    Stoppage/Non-Restoration of payment of Teaching Allowance to our deserving members on CONHESS 7&8 despite enabling circular
    Non-Payment of arrears owed from 2011 till date in most hospitals;

    Non-Payment of uniform allowance owed from 2008 till date in some hospitals;

    Non –payment of arrears of Relativity Allowance to our deserving members; and non deduction and non-remittance of union dues by some hospital managements.”

  • JOHESU Strike: UCH grounded as workers place sacrifices in hospital

    JOHESU Strike: UCH grounded as workers place sacrifices in hospital

    Medical activities were on Thursday paralysed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan as members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the Hospital complied with the directives of the national body on an indefinite strike amidst pandemonium and fears.
     
    Leaders and members of the various health unions in the hospital had converged at the school of Nursing within the premises of the hospital from where they marched to the main gate of the hospital for the declaration of the strike.
     
    The Union members had converged within the premises of the hospital as early as 7am and were said to have allegedly placed sacrifices prepared inside pots at strategic locations in the hospital.
     
    To create more fears, one of fetish ‘sacrifices’ was placed few meters to the office of the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Temitope Alonge.
     
    Some of the items used in the preparation of the sacrifice include; pap, palm oil, palm fronts, grasses and some other items, all frightfully arranged in big brown calabash.  
     
    The workers in their desperation to ensure all measure to hinder their strict compliance were jettisoned also blocked the main entrance to the hospital thereby making entrance into the hospital difficult for those who had come for medical check up or treatment.
     
    Also, leaders of the workers unions further led other members, in their hundreds to shut down their various offices in compliance with the directive of the umbrella body on the national strike.
     
    The office of the Chief Medical Director, Professor Temitope Alonge was also not sparred as he was shut out.
     
    Other areas also shut down include the power source that serve the hospital as well as instruments and equipment rooms.
     
    Addressing the workers in an emergency congress shortly before dispersing them, Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), UCH Branch, Mr. Olusegun Sotiloye said the unions had been pushed to the wall stressing that they had employed all peaceful means of dialogue but to no avail.
     
    He said, “I want to plead with you not to be intimidated, all your heads of department have been duly informed about this exercise, so there is no need for us to fear, the exercise is going to be total.”
     
    Other union leaders who spoke at the congrese decried the insensitivity of government to their plight stressing that the strike is total and that until their demands are met, none of the offices will be opened.
     
    Accoding to them, the indefinite strike was sequel to the failure of the government to give due attention to their demands stressing that health workers in Nigeria have been greatly marginalized and that this is the time to say no and take a stand.
     
    The various speakers also implored their members to go home and keep their phone lines open at all time as there will be need for them to be contacted for further development about the indefinite strike warning that any member that violate the procedures of the strike by reporting for duty will be sanctioned.
     
    The Nation observed that most of the offices were under lock and keys at hospital as the union leaders supervised the workers as they return to their various homes.
  • JOHESU strike paralises FMC Keffi

    JOHESU strike paralises FMC Keffi

    Normal healthcare services have been paralised at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Keffi in Nasarawa State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
    This followed the indefinite strike embarked on by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

    A NAN correspondent monitoring the situation reports that officials of the union were seen directing members who resumed work to go back home in their interest. Mr Achimugu Isaiah, the JOHESU Chairman, confirmed this to on Thursday while briefing newsmen in Keffi.

    NAN also observed that all other health workers complied with the strike order except medical doctors who are not members of JOHESU.
    Isaiah said that they decided to join their colleagues on the nationwide industrial action following a directive from the national body of the union in the interest of the health sector.

    According to him, the primary aim of every health worker is to see that the welfare of patients is improved, saying that they have no option than to embark on the strike to press home their demands for improved facilities and condition of service.

    “This briefing was necessitated in order to sensitise the patients and the public to know the reasons why we have joined the nationwide JOHESU indefinite strike declared by our national body.

    “The 7-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by our national body has elapsed yesterday, hence the need for the indefinite strike, so we are telling the public to bear with us because they might not know the reasons why the strike was declared.

    “The reasons why we have embarked on the strike is nothing but because the government has failed to address our demands which included review of retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, demand for autonomy of the teaching and specialist hospitals.

    “Inadequate funding is also a reason why we embarked on the strike, we want the Federal Government to abolish the scale to scale promotion, and salary review, among other demands,’’ he said.

    Isaiah said that adequate funding of public health facilities would go along in improving on the standing of living and health status of Nigerians as well as discouraging medical tourism.

    “If our hospitals are adequately funded, if our hospitals are well equipped, it will discourage medical tourism and serve the generality of the people,” he added.
    The JOHESU also chairman called on the government to meet up with the demands of the health workers in order to resolve the dispute.
    Reacting, Dr Joshua Giyan, the Medical Director of the centre, appealed to the aggrieved workers to return to work to prevent loss of lives.

  • FG urges JOHESU to shelve planned strike

    FG urges JOHESU to shelve planned strike

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has appealed to National Association of Joint Health Sector Unions ( JOHESU) to shelve planned strike commencing at midnight on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

    The minister made the appeal in a statement by Mrs Olajide Oshundun, the Assistant Director, Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Oshundun quoted the minister as saying “the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment have had series of meeting with the leadership of JOHESU of which most of their demands had been met.”

    He added that some of the issues addressed by the meetings included payment of promotion arrears that pre-dated President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Joint Health Sector Unions ( JOHESU)
    Strike

    The minister added that other issues raised by JOHESU were still being deliberated upon with the leadership of the Union.

    Adewole, therefore, appealed to JOHESU to shelve their planned strike in the interest of the generality of Nigerians, especially the less privileged that may not afford healthcare services in private hospitals.

    He assured that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to guarantee quality and affordable healthcare for Nigerians.