The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olajide Oshundun

  • Federal Medical Centre Keffi gets new CMD

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu, as the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State, it was learnt.

    Dr. Adamu’s appointment is a four year term.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Olajide Oshundun, Assistant Director, Media and Publicity, Ministry of Health, the appointment is with effect from May 7th 2018.

    Read Also: FMC Keffi records three suspected cases of Lassa fever

    The Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehinare, according to the statement  also charged the new CMD on the need to work harder to ensure that the hospital continued to provide quality healthcare but strive to improve on the past achievements and leave his mark on the annals of the institution.

    Ehanire in his congratulatory remark further advised the new MD to justify the confidence reposed on him by working with all stakeholders to ensure industrial harmony in the sector and in support of Mr. President’s Change Agenda.

  • 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.

  • ‘JOHESU demand for salary parity neither practicable, nor acceptable’

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said on Monday that the demand by striking Joint Health Sector Unions ( JOHESU ) for salary parity with medical doctors was neither practicable nor acceptable.

    The minister made this known in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Assistant Director of Information of the ministry.

    The statement was a reaction by the ministry to the advertorial by JOHESU in some national dailies.

    The minister, however, said an offer has been made to adjust the salaries and wages of its members by the Federal Government.

    “As a responsible government will do everything within our power to bring the ongoing strike action to an end as quickly as possible.

    “Indeed, the federal government has put machinery in place to ensure that the strike is called off by meeting with JOHESU officials on several occasions.

    “But what JOHESU is asking for is parity with medical doctors which is neither practicable nor acceptable to the federal government,’’ the minister said.

    Adewole described the current strike action by the unions as unfortunate, noting that“the health and wellbeing of many Nigerians have been affected.”

    The minister reiterated that there was no agreement between the federal government and JOHESU prior to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He added that what JOHESU brandished as 2014 agreement were minutes of meetings they had with organs of government.

    He explained that in September 2017, JOHESU presented 15-point demand and the Federal Government has implemented 14 while the last demand was still been attended to.

    Adewole therefore appealed to the unions to immediately call off the strike and allow for the conclusion of the assignment given to a high powered body on the 2017 agreement.

    “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not renege on any agreement entered into with any labour organisation including JOHESU,’’ he said

    The minister also appealed to the general public to bear with the government as efforts were on to end the ongoing strike as quickly as possible.

    NAN

  • 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.

    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.