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Tag: Joint Health Sector Union

  • Doctors working tirelessly despite JOHESU strike

    Omolara Akintoye, who recently toured some government health facilities across Lagos, reports that hospital activities are ongoing, albeit skeletal.

    DESPITE the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) strike action, most doctors in hospitals in Lagos State can be seen working in all the departments in most hospitals. Doctors are working to ensure that patients who come to the hospitals are not stranded. A visit to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) reveals that the medical, diagnostics, pediatrics, pharmacy, surgical emergencies, and the clinics are running fully. Doctors were seen attending to patients in the wards and in the delivery room. Patients were also around waiting to be attended to.

    Speaking with the Secretary, Association of Resident Doctors, LASUTH, who is also a resident at the Department of Medical Microbiology, Dr. Alli Olusegun, he said “Doctors here in LASUTH have been trying to mobilise ourselves to ensure that despite the strike action, patients still get the best medical care. Although it cannot be like the way it was before the strike action, we are trying to ensure that nobody is turned back.

    Since the record people are not on ground to provide records, Alli revealed that doctors have resorted to improvising, by ensuring that new patients are attended to, as well as referral cases. “For old patients, we try to create a temporary folder for them. Doctors know these patients; we are familiar with their cases, so it is easier for us to attend to them. The turnout is increasing by the day,” he said.

    According to Alli, these are made possible with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement being put in place by the management of LASUTH. “Doctors have been on ground, we have delegated doctors to different places.”

    “I have even operated on two cases today and we have had two emergencies since yesterday night. We are seeing our patients, and women are giving birth.” said a doctor who wanted anonymity.

    A visit to the laboratories revealed that there are pathologists who are resident doctors working with close supervision with consultants. At the Critical Care Unit, it’s open to surgery, “but for cases that will require admission, we don’t do that for now” said Alli.

    At the Pediatrics Department, house officers are providing nursing services.

    Speaking on JOHESU’s demand, Dr. Alli said, “There is nothing wrong with an employee demanding from an employer. In terms of remunerations everyone wants a pay rise, but having said that, we have a relativity that we rely on. We have challenged JOHESU that internationally, and averagely everywhere in the world, doctors are taking the largest pay. NMA is debunking the rumour that doctors are being paid N300,000 and others are being paid N80,000. It is all lies; the gap between the pay package among doctors and other health personnel is just N30,000. Having parity with doctors is unachievable,” Alli said.

    A patient, Mrs Siyanbola Dorcas, expressed her sympathy at the doctors, saying they were overstretched with work. “When I came into the hospital, l did not see any other staff apart from the doctors who attended to me. Indeed, l was attended to, but l am in sympathy with them.”

    She therefore urged government to hasten action on the request by the workers.

    Another patient, Mr Patrick Chukwu, who brought his son on emergency, said the doctors attended to his son. Chukwu however, said his son would not be placed on admission because there would be no nurse to care for him. “I am appealing to both the health workers and the government to consider the lives of the people. It is not healthy for workers not to be at their duty posts to attend to people who are sick and need attention. Healthcare is very necessary and we cannot deny that fact; hence, the more reason why the government should do what is necessary to bring the workers back,” he said.

    Similarly, another patient, Mrs Biodun Alakija, said she could not afford the bill being charged by private hospitals and her only hope was the government-owned hospitals. “The government owes its citizens the duty to provide them quality healthcare.  I have a right to healthcare. It is on this fact that l appeal to the government to listen to the cries of the people and ensure peace reigns in the health sector,” she said.

    A visit to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi- Araba, revealed that the hospital is fully operational despite JOHESU strike.

    Oba, who spoke with The Nation, said the hospital could not afford to close down, hence it is providing full services in all the departments. He said despite the absence of the nurses and other health personnel, doctors were still providing services to the patient.

    “This is made possible with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) being put in place by the management of the hospital,” said Oba. They did not allow the hospital to close down because they know the hardship it would cause,” he said.

    At Randle General Hospital, Surulere, only skeletal services were offered by the consultants and resident doctors on ground.

    A check at the Somolu General Hospital showed that, in spite of the restriction order, some nurses still rendered skeletal services to patients, though they were casually dressed.

    Patients were also seen in the premises waiting to be attended to by the few staff available.

    A patient, Mr. James Lawrence, said: “It is a pity that we, as a country, still find ourselves in this mess of strikes in the health sector. The effect of the strike is mainly on the patients because there will be an increase in the financial burden on them.

    Meanwhile, the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) has suspended its nationwide strike. The union suspended its strike on Thursday and directed all members to resume work on Monday, June 4, 2018.President of JOHESU, Mr Josiah Biobelemonye, said the strike was called off following the intervention of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

  • JOHESU Strike: NANS gives FG 10-day ultimatum to resolve issues

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Saturday issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Union.

    President of the student body, Aruna Kadiri, conveyed NANS ultimatum to the federal government at a briefing in Abuja on Friday.

    He said the union would embark on a mass protest nationwide if the issues raised by JOHESU were not addressed before the end of the 10-ultimatum by the government.

    Kadiri said some students in major campuses had been forced to return home because they could not access medical care when they fell ill while the condition of others had gone critical due to the ongoing strike by the health workers.

    Kadiri said: “If it is not resolved before then (10-day ultimatum) we will come out enmasse and occupy the streets until government takes us back to our campuses.

    “We hope it does not get to that stage. We will give government some time to resolve the issues.

    Read Also: JOHESU: Lagos Assembly appeals to workers to return to work

    “We are still gathering information on the number of students in our campuses who have returned home and those whose condition has become critical for the unavailability of health workers in the hospitals.”

    Kadiri said NANS had appealed to JOHESU to suspend its strike in the interest of millions of Nigerians and their families who were bearing the brunt of the action.

    The NANS President advised doctors who were still in hospitals not to obstruct the ongoing talks between the government and JOHESU.

    Kadiri said: “The health union is requesting for the implementation of the adjusted consolidated salary structure.

    “We gather that the medical doctors have been addressing conferences and trying to distract the Federal Government from resolving the issues with JOHESU. We warn that the doctors must work to resolve the crisis and not to fuel it further.

    “NANS pleads with the union to suspend its strike in the interests of millions of Nigerian students and their families. We give the Federal Government a 10-day ultimatum to dialogue with the striking health workers.”

  • Group threatens contempt proceedings against JOHESU over strike

    Asks FG to proscribe union

    A group, Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International (KHRFI) has threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against striking members of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) for allegedly refusing to obey court’s ordering directing them to resume work.

    The group had, on Thursday, obtained ex-parte orders from the National Industrial Court (NIC) directed the striking health workers to among others, suspend their strike within 24 hours and return to their duty posts.

    Justice Babatunde Adejumo, President of the NIC, who gave the orders, also directed the Ministers of Health and Labour to engage in negotiation with the leaders of the striking workers.

    KHRFI’s lawyer, Nnamdi Okere said, should JOHESU’s members and leaders fail to resume work by Monday, his client will have no option but to return to court to commence contempt proceedings.

    He noted that the strike, by his group’s study, over 1000 Nigerians have died as a result of the strike commenced on April 17 this year.

    Okere, who prayed the Federal Government to proscribe JOHESU, argued that although the health workers could unionise, they were, by virtue of their services being essential, were precluded from embarking on strike.

    The lawyer, who noted that Justice Adejumo, in granting the ex-parte application, agreed with the applicant, quoted the judge as saying: “To my mind, this motion is seeking an order/orders of this court in the interest of the Nigerian citizenry suffering health related hazards in consequence of the ongoing industrial action to wit strike embarked upon by the 1st and 2nd defendants/ respondents.

    Read Also: Court orders JOHESU to end strike

    “The principal role herein is to balance the convenience of the striking employees and that of the innocent Nigerians who are now the victims of the strike of which they knew nothing about

    “This court according to the International best practices is not to consider only the interest of parties before it alone. It must go a further to consider the consequence of its decision or pronouncement on the larger society, who are members of the larger society, I am referring to? These are innocent members of the society who are the worst hit of the ongoing strike.

    “I hereby grant the prayers contained in the motion exparte and ordered that, the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondent who are principal officers and representatives of joint health sector union JOHESU are hereby ordered to call back their members throughout the federation to suspend the strike action they embarked upon on 17th April, 2018 or there about and report at their various duty pot within the next 48hours.

    “The Minister of Health, Federal Ministry of Health, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and Minister of justice/Attorney General of the Federation (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th defendants/respondents) are hereby ordered to put in place a reconciliatory process towards amicable settlement of the trade dispute within the next 72 hours.

    “The 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents are hereby ordered to attend any reconciliatory process that may be put in place by the 3rd – 7th defendants/respondents”, Justice Adejumo stated and added that the orders are made in overall interest of the Nigerian Citizenry.”

    Okere said the judge has fixed June 4, 2018 for hearing on the substantive suit.

  • FG warns JOHESU against harassing doctors, others

    The Federal Government has warned members of the striking Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) against harassing doctors and other health workers.

    The ongoing JOHESU strike action which has entered its fourth week now has been compounded with the recent directive to state and local council to join the strike action.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole also stated that the union does not have the right to lock up government health facilities.

    The statement which was signed by Mr. Olajide Oshundun, Assistant Director, Media and Publicity also directed heads of medical institutions to provide adequate security for working members.

    Read Also: JOHESU strike: NMA decries attacks on doctors, patients

    The statement reads: “In as much as members of JOHESU have the right to embark on strike, they do not have the constitutional right to harass other health workers including members of JOHESU who choosed to work and

    “JOHESU members DO NOT have right to lock-up government facilities.

    “The Federal government would not accept nor condone any act of irresponsibility and disobedience to constituted authorities, adding that all locked health facilities should be opened immediately to enable the facilities provide required services while negotiation continues.

    “The Honorable Minister further re-iterates that all Heads of medical institutions should as a matter of urgency provide adequate security for the working members of staff and any person found disturbing the peace in any health facility should be made to face the law.”

    Only recently, the President of National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Dr. Ugochukwu Chinaka, had accused members of JOHESU of harassing and molesting members of NARD and other medical officers at their respective duty posts.

    JOHESU members were also accused of locking- up government health facilities to prevent access to those who are not on strike.

  • At the mercy of doctors and health workers

    Following the breakdown in negotiations between leaders of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) and federal government officials, the nationwide industrial action by at the Federal Health Institutions which started on 17th April 2018 has continued with members at the state and local government levels joining from May 9.

    According to a statement by JOHESU, the strike is expected to be absolute and no skeletal services would be offered in any of the hospitals or clinics. Management staff are not exempted from the strike as they are expected to participate fully in the strike and unit officials are to monitor the strike to ensure total compliance

    JOHESU members were urged to note that success or failure of the strike will determine whether the Government will adjust their CONHESS salary and the future of their profession or not.

    To prevent the federal government from yielding to JOHESU’s demands, which are essentially about ensuring parity with medical doctors in terms of salaries and positions that can be attained in service, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Thursday issued a statement threatening to go on strike.

    NMA claimed that acceding to JOHESU’s demands will amount to violating a collective agreement with them that any award to the non-medically qualified health professionals that violates the January and July agreements of 2014 shall result in the resumption of the suspended withdrawal of service.

    While the two sides continue to hold on to their guns on the matter, patience nationwide are going through unimaginable hardships. Although Consultants are doing their best to attend to some old patients, new patients are not being admitted, while those on admission are being discharged.

    As it is, Nigerians in need of medical attention who cannot afford to pay the high fees charged in private hospitals or clinics have to wait till the dispute between the doctors and other health workers is resolved.

    If JOHESU’s claim that it first gave a 21-day ultimatum, followed by another 30-days without the government responding until the strike was declared is true, the federal government should take the blame of not acting early enough to prevent the total shutdown in the health sector.

    As difficult as it may be to meet JOHESU’s demands, considering the opposition from the doctors, ignoring the health workers ultimatum and allowing the situation to degenerate to the present situation is unfortunate.

    Resolving the disagreements between the doctors and other health workers may be a tough one for the federal government, but it must be urgently done.

    The two sides must be made to realise why their position on the issues at stake is not attainable and they must also be willing to make some concessions in the interest of the ordinary Nigerians.

    I don’t understand the insistence of the doctors on not allowing for any parity with other health workers. They are undoubtedly the head of the medical team, but other workers are as important in ensuring the efficient healthcare system.

    Other health workers should be able to rise to any possible level in their line of duty and beyond as long as they are part of the medical service chain.

  • Pain as JOHESU strike lingers

    Patients groan as the industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada lasts, report OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN and IBRAHIM AZEEZ 

    Medical services at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada have been grounded following the indefinite strike action by the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in the health institution.

    Women, children and the elderly suffered severely due to the strike action. Members of JOHESU went from ward to ward and department to department to ensure the strike was complied with. Meanwhile patients groaned in pain.

    Health workers, during the protest, blamed the Federal Government for not honouring its agreements with the labour union members on the several pacts signed with the union in September 2017.

    Speaking after a supervisory tour of the hospital, JOHESU Chapter Chairman, UATH, Steven Orichas said six months after entering into an agreement between the union and the federal government on the adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and increment of retirement age to 65 years, the government has done nothing till date.

    Orichas noted that members of the union are angry and tired of the irresponsiveness of the federal government, even after the union called off an initial strike.

    He added that the indefinite strike action in the facility was to ensure the workers fully comply with the instruction as directed by the union’s national body.

    According to him, the union had earlier issued a 21 days’ notice of industrial action to remind the government of its commitment, after which another 30 days’ ultimatum was issued on March 5, 2018 before the commencement of the indefinite strike on

    Orichas alleged that members of the Nigerian Medical Association that were part of that suit for the CONHESS 10 adjustment and payment of arrears have been paid illegally by the Ministry of Health and ignored those who got court judgement in their favour from the court regarding the payment.

    “The state right now to comply on an indefinite action is 100 per cent compliant. We have just gone round with members of JOHESU in UATH, we discovered that our people have complied 100 per cent.

    “This is because our people are angry and tired and the issues we are asking for are not new, this things as been on for to two three years. Because of this demands we embarked on an industrial action sometime last year that ended in September.

    “At the September meeting there was an agreement between us and the FG represented by the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Health. We had hoped that because of the agreement they have signed with the union, they were going to follow through and we decided to suspend the strike and return to work.

    “It is disheartening to note that after six months of the suspension of our last strike and still counting, the federal Government has not done anything tangible over the pending issues, especially on the flagship issue of CONHESS adjustment that is used by other health workers and payment of arrears of CONHESS 10 skipping.

    “Permit me to add that we have two CONHESS salary scales in the health sector, one for medical doctors and one for other health workers which includes; the nurse laboratory scientists, radiologist among others. In 2014 the FG adjusted the salary structure for the medical structures and we asked them to do same for others and also increase the retirement age from60 to 65 years. That had been the issue over the years,” he said.

    When asked about the accusation by the NMA that JOHESU is not registered and operating illegally, the chairman said, “I want to ask NMA to show me their Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) registration and registration with the Trade Union and tell us who is truly registered. Until they are able to prove to us that they are a registered body they have no moral rights to call JOHESU and illegal body.

    He appealed to the general public, traditional leaders and opinion leaders to prevail on FG to honour the memorandum of terms of settlement it voluntarily entered into with its union.

     

  • JUTH nurses stop shift duty over non-payment of allowances

    JUTH nurses stop shift duty over non-payment of allowances

    Nurses in Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), have stopped shift duties in protest against the deduction of two months shift allowances by the hospital’s management.

    The nurses currently resume work at 7 AM and close at 3 PMs on working days, and stay from work at weekends.

    “We used to run three shifts – morning, afternoon and night. But we have resolved to suspend the shifts. We have resolved to all converge for morning duty and close at the same time,” a union official, Mr Mustapha Kabir, said.

    Kabir, Chairman, Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), JUTH chapter, told NAN on Friday in Jos, that the nurses had been denied two months shift allowances as punishment for the period they were on strike in March and April this year.

    The two months protest had been declared to force government to pay shift allowances which were left out when salary payments migrated to IPPIS in 2015.

    Contacted, Dr. Edmund Banwat, Chief Medical Director of JUTH, explained that the nurses had, earlier in the year, abandoned shift duties to protest the non-payment of three months allowances.

  • Abuja Teaching Hospital to Fed Govt: honour deal with health workers

    Staff of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH) under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) have urged the Federal Government not to default or dishonour its agreement with members of the union.

    UATH JOHESU chair, 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 the 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 October 1, 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.

     

  • 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.