Why we suspended our strike, health workers say

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has said that they suspended their two weeks old strike conditionally in honor of patients in public hospitals and Nigerians in general.
The unions leadership also said Federal Government is expected to issue a circular on their agreements with the unions to be presented to the various NEC to ratify the decision on the suspension of the industrial action.
National Chairman of JOHESU, Comrade Josiah Biobelemoye disclosed that the unions further demanded for the sack of  the CMAC  of Irrua Teaching Hospitals, in Edo, Dr. Wilson Ovienria for physically assaulted members of JOHESU during the strike.
They said “FMoH should ensure that the OHCSF circularises the amended Scheme of Service for Nurses and other professionals within one(1) week
“Teaching Allowances for Nurses and health workers from CONHESS 7 and above taking teaching duties..
“Shortfall of Call Duty Allowances as per last review of Call Duty Allowances for Nurses and other health workers taking Call Duties.
“The FMoH to assist JOHESU to look into the issue of the establishment of Regulatory Councils for Dieticians, Medical Social Workers and Clinical Psychologist.
“Review of job specific allowances for health institutions on CONRAISS. Abolition of DCMAC and Deputy Head of Clinical Services.
“Brutality of our members at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State.The report of the harassment and physical assault on our members has been verified and JOHESU demands the immediate sack of the CMAC in accordance with the Public Service Rules as it amounts to serious misconduct and Implementation of CONHESS Salary Scale at Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
“circular for the implementation of the appointment of the Nurses interns will be released within one week”.
The two parties earlier signed an agreement for the Upward Adjustment of CONHESS Salary Scale
On Skipping of CONHESS 10, “the meeting resolved that a circular will be written to all health institutions to start implementing the skipping of CONHESS 10 where the implementation has not commenced.
 “JOHESU is expected to partner with the Government to provide the list of the institutions that have either not started or have not paid the arrears within one week.
“We therefore, call on all our members to make immediate submission through their respective unions to JOHESU Secretariat for compilation and onward submission to the FMoH.
“It was noted that the Government has started payment of promotion arrears to beneficiaries in various institutions.  We hereby call on our members to report the status of payments in their health institutions to their various parent unions for collation and necessary follow-up.
“The Federal Government agreed to make employment in areas of critical manpower shortage. Enhanced Entry Point for Radiographers and Medical Laboratory Scientists
It was resolved that the matter be treated holistically to cater for all the cadres within JOHESU membership.  On this matter, JOHESU is to meet with the FMoH and NSIWC within one week”.
On the appointment of CMDs/MDs of Tertiary Hospitals in Accordance with Extant Laws, “Federal Government agreed that the CMDs and MDs appointment should be in line with extant Acts of the hospitals and where this is violated, JOHESU should call the attention of the Government with a view to doing the right thing”.

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