The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has said it would continue to champion a true agenda of health reforms that would restore order, sanity, decorum, and respect for all concerned in the health system.
JOHESU National Chairman Biobelemoye Joy Josiah said this in a statement in Abuja.
He warned that her members would no longer tolerate what it described as ‘foolish mentally’ of members of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on the ongoing reform in the sector.
He described the NMA leadership as intellectual dwarfs who authenticated the unfortunate association’s position which dwelt extensively on propaganda, threats and blackmail.
The union said: “JOHESU as a matter of fact is a legitimate conglomerate of 5 REGISTERED Trade Unions in the Health Sector. It is a metamorphosis from our old Joint Action Committees (JAC) with a more refined and structured depth to be truly impactful.
“JOHESU has made Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) more convenient in terms of logistics for the Federal Government (FG) and State Governments (SG) because those Governments contend with one entity instead of 5.
“If the NMA spokespersons were discerning wisely, they would have known that even the courts from the NICN, High Courts, Appeal Courts, and the Supreme Court which have powers to interpret the laws have always recognized JOHESU as a juristic template.
“This is why it can sue and be sued. It is this stupendous ignorance that the NMA continues to exhibit that does not allow it to know that as a mere professional body, it should not be allowed to exercise the privilege of negotiating CBAs on behalf of its membership.
“The tragedy of this aberration is catalysed by their members who hold sway today at both the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (FML&P).
“The accusation of blackmailing the Senate and in particular Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Health remains a figment of the imagination of the NMA hierarchy.
“For the records and umpteenth time, we assert boldly and responsibly that Dr. Oloriegbe, who has complained of the tyrannical propensities of a perceived political dynasty until fate and good fortune smiled on him in 2019 Senatorial Elections when he defeated then-incumbent Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has been more tyrannical than any other Medical Doctor Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.”
It further said: “In the last 22 years of our democracy, at least the following, which includes late Senator Martins Yellowe from Rivers West Senatorial District, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa now Governor of Delta State, Dr. Lanre Tejuosho from Ogun Central Senatorial District have been Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Health. JOHESU/AHPA or any of the other Health professional bodies never accused these Medics of bias at hearings.
“Dr. Oloriegbe stretched his misnomer at the Public Hearings he has presided over vis the NHIS Amendment Bill and the February 1, 2021 hearing by recognising his Medical Constituents above and over other stakeholders.
“We challenge NMA again using some of the three best universities in Nigeria. The JAMB results at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife was such that for the first time in recent years, Pharmacy and Medicine had the same cut-off mark. Pharmacy traditionally is higher than Medicine in that particular citadel of learning.
“Surprisingly, at least to many, Nursing had a higher cut-off mark than Medicine at OAU, Ile-Ife in the current academic year. At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the cut-off mark for Pharmacy and Dentistry was the same, while at the University of Ibadan (UI), pharmacy was higher than Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
“For the NMA, we send word with a deep sense of conviction that we shall no longer let you get away with the foolish mentality that in the world of power there is no equality; the strong must have their way, while the weak suffer what they must like Albert Camus says.
“JOHESU will champion a true agenda of health reforms that will restore order, sanity, decorum and respect for all concerned in our health system”.
