The Federal Government has expressed its resolve to revisit issues relating to the welfare of Nigerian healthcare workers registered under the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU.
The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, gave this assurance in Abuja on Thursday while receiving members of the Joint Health Sector Unions, who were on a courtesy visit to the ministry.
Adewole urged the Union to be patient with the new management in the ministry, pledging to set up a committee comprising key staff of the ministry and the union leaders for a review of all the agreement earlier reached.
Disclosing this in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs. Boade Akinola, he “advised JOHESU members to adopt the spirit of give and take as the spirit of all or none could kill any health institution.”
In an earlier remark, the Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, described the visit as the first constructive step towards industrial harmony and working together as a team in the sector.
He maintained that considering the federal government’s commitment to deliver quality, affordable and accessible health care to the masses and the union’s promise to support the new administration, the use of strike as a weapon in the health system should not be reckless because of its consequences.
Ehanire therefore appealed for a monumental mind shift where quality healthcare delivery service should be paramount to all health care givers and called for maturity, selflessness and compassion, noting that patients are supreme and as such, every patient’s right must be emphasized.
“In your struggle for your share, don’t trample upon patient’s rights and dignity,” the minister warned.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary advised the union to mellow down on their request because of the present economic situation in the country. This was as she pledged to cooperate with the union in order to move the health sector to greater heights.
In an earlier remark, the National Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah enumerated the challenges facing the union to include: non- appointment of other health professional as consultants and payment of specialist allowance; non residency programmes for other health professionals in Nigeria; payment of the arrears of CONHESS 10; lopsided composition of the board of management; appointment of Chairman of Medical Advisory committee, amongst others.
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