Patients will know their fate in the next 24hrs as the representatives of the health workers sit down to debate on the industrial strike.
File Photo
Patients on the sick beds in various hospitals across the country will on Saturday know their faith regarding proper and adequet care, as the striking health workers under the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) has reiterate it’s firm decision to continue the strike action pending the decision of its NEC members on Saturday.
The health workers are expected to hold their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Friday before making its decision known to the government on Saturday.
Secretary of JOHESU, Ekpebor Florence disclosed that due to the relevant services provided by the health workers, the union is determined to quickly resolve the strike once their is enough commitment from the government.
The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had last week embarked on a nation wide strike following the expiration of its ultimatum issued to the federal government to address several of it grievances.
JOHESU comprises the Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Widwives (NANNW), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutes (NASU) among others.
The grievances of the health workers include Abolition of scale to scale promotion, autonomy for teaching and specialist hospitals in the country and other issues.
Others include non payment of outstanding arrears promotion, skipping and relativity, adjustment of CONHESS salary aa done for CONMESS since January 2014 and the review of retirement age from 60-65 years as done for the tertiary education sector
He said the issues have been lingering since 2012, adding that the federal government had reached an agreement with the unions on May 10, 2012.