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Health workers in Nigeria have threatened to join the association of resident doctors in its ongoing strike in 21 days time.
Health workers under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Allied
Health Professionals and the Joint Health Sector Unions have threatened
to embark on a nationwide strike by September 30.
The union in a statement signed by the National President, Obinna
Ogbonna and the national secretary, Mr. Ayinde Obisesan, accused the
Federal Government of prioritising the demands of doctors in its employ
above those of health workers.
According to them, many of their members have also been denied
salary arrears and emoluments which, they said the Federal Government
was now addressing with the striking doctors.
Doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident
Doctors began a nationwide strike on September 3 to protest the
non-payment and cuts in their salaries and arrears.
“It is clear that the minister of state for health, minister of
health and the minister of labour and employment, who are all doctors,
are biased in how they are handling the demands of other health workers.
“This is glaring in the way they negotiated and agreed to all
issues presented by NARD. This act of discrimination, double standard
and preferential treatment of doctors is highly discriminatory. The act
of favoritism and injustice was displayed during the process of
negotiation.
“So, considering other mobilisation factors and to give the
government further room to address our demands, on 30th of September, if
they do not, the union will have no other option than to shut down
health care services nationwide.”
The aggrieved health workers are also demanding the implementation
of the inter-ministerial sub-committee report on critical matters in
the sector, professional autonomy and appointments of consultants and
payment of specialist allowance to their members.
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