Health Workers Suspend Strike

By Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Nigeria’s Health Care Proffessionals under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), on Thursday in Enugu called off its three-week nationwide strike action.

The union had embarked on industrial action since 6th of March, 2017 as they asked the federal government to address the unhealthy discrepancies in the running of hospitals in the country. 

The union which comprised Physiotherapists, Dental Therapists, Dental Technologists, Medical Physicists, Health Information Officers, Dietitians, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Radiographers, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists, Medical Social workers and other healthcare professionals also demanded among other things that federal government and its personnel should obey the judgment of the National Industrial Court.  The National President, Dr. Ogbonna Obinna Chimela announced the suspension of the strike action at a press briefing shortly after the meeting of the Union’s National Executive council held at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.

He said the suspension of the strike was hinged on consideration of the poor citizens of Nigeria who could not afford to seek treatment outside the country and a court order to that effect.

 He also said suspension of the three weeks indefinite strike followed series of dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Health and stakeholders and among others consideration for the poor citizens of Nigeria who cannot afford to seek treatment outside the country.

According to him, the NEC of the union decided to suspend the strike even as it called the federal government to implement immediately areas of agreement and initiate meetings to conclude the outstanding issues within four weeks to avert resumption of strike.

According to him some degree of progress over some demands especially the ones that were within the FMOH such as; “revamping the infrastructure in the tertiary health institutions; professional autonomy where the FMOH agreed to implement all Court judgment without delay; enhanced entry point for medical laboratory scientists and radiographers, the FMOH agreed to verify this and correct it for deserving officers without distortion.

On the backlog of promotion arrears and CONHESS 10 skipping, “the meeting encouraged hospitals affected to implement payment within the 2017 budget time line. The residency training for other health professionals was also approved.

“Sabbatical leave for healthcare professionals as contained in the public service rule (PSR) was approved and call duty for health information managers and Dieticians was also approved in principle but was referred to NSIWC for advice.”