Chijioke Iremeka
The Joint Health Sector Unions has applauded the Federal Government for capturing the approved review of the Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure in the 2024 Appropriation Act and also called for its immediate implementation.
JOHESU leadership, which also expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in its implementation, urged the government to commence immediate payment of arrears starting from February.
The union also thanked the Federal Government for heeding JOHESU’s earlier appeal to restore funding to the Health Sector Professional Regulatory Councils and reminded the appropriate government agencies of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to resolve the demand of JOHESU on adjustment of CONHESS.
JOHESU noted that it was this promise made by Mr. President that led to the immediate suspension of the nationwide strike by JOHESU that same day, therefore, calling on the government to do the needful.
In a communiqué jointly signed by the National Chairman of JOHESU, Dr Kabiru Minjibir and National Secretary, Martin Egbanubi, the union prayed for immediate implementation of the CONHESS in order to avert resumption of the suspended strike.
The national leadership also appealed to all members to remain calm as the leadership intensifies its effort to ensure that all outstanding demands are met by the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, JOHESU and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations, had in an open letter applauded the FG for restoring funding to the Health Sector Professional Regulatory Councils that regulate and control the practices of its members.
Also, in a letter jointly signed by Minjibir and Egbanubi, JOHESU urged President Tinubu to pay special attention to the health of Nigerians as any life lost cannot and will never be recovered.
They appealed to the President to urgently reconstitute the Boards/Governing Councils of all FHIs, Professional Regulatory Councils and other agencies in the health sector.
The letter reads in part, “In recent months, we have been critically appraising output of the various FHIs, Agencies and Professional Regulatory Bodies in Nigeria’s health sector and have come to the conclusion that there are gaps in the effective management of these health institutions.
“There is observable culture of impunity and lack of adherence to due process by chief executive officers of these FHIs in the absence of Boards of Management.
“Some of the far reaching effects of the non-constitution of these Federal Health Institutions and other health sector statutory bodies include stalling the promotion of senior staff and some of those who should be in management committees of the hospitals which needs the approval of the board
“There is disruptions and poor oversight responsibilities of key structures in the hospital system including entire procurement process of drugs, dressings, consumables, construction works, transport and vehicular logistics and other related endeavours in healthcare management
“This impedes other establishment procedures with regards to the training, research, and specialised care protocols of the FHIs. Vital decisions on specialised appointments which are incidental to care in the hospitals have been delayed and almost jeopardised in some instances.
“With respect to the earlier listed professional councils which ought to enjoy legal status of perpetual succession, are probably more hit because vital areas of their output are grounded in statutory provisions.”
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