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Tag: Health Workers

  • Health workers begin 5-day warning strike in Kaduna

    Health workers begin 5-day warning strike in Kaduna

    Health workers in Kaduna State have embarked on a five-day warning strike.

    A check by NAN in some of the public hospitals showed only doctors and laboratory technicians were on duty.

    Also, some of the patients had since been discharged from the hospitals as the Nurses were on strike and there was no one to take care of them.

    Speaking in an interview on Monday in Kaduna, Chairman, National Association of Nurses and Midwives in the state, Mr Ishaku Yakubu, said the strike was to press home some demands.

    He said there were demands given to the state government over the years that were yet to be met.

    Yakubu said, “The health workers embarked on the strike over issues that are yet to be resolved between them and the state government.

    ”The health workers have been on CONHESS salary structure since 2009.

    “We have the 2012 and 2013 versions that need to be reviewed by the state government but up till now, they have done nothing about it.”

    He said that since 2015, the state government had promised that they would increase the salary, saying, ” but up till now, nothing has been done.

    “We have been working on these for the government to do something but they approved the doctors and given them 100 per cent while we nurses are yet to receive anything from them.”

    Yakubu also said that the state government was yet to approve the 2003 hazard allowance approved by the Federal Government.

    When contacted, the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry for Health, Dr Aishatu Mohamed-Saqid, said that she would officially react to the development on Tuesday.

  • JAPA: UK bans Health workers, Caregivers from bringing in dependants

    JAPA: UK bans Health workers, Caregivers from bringing in dependants

    The United Kingdom (UK) has introduced a new rule for health workers and care givers planning to relocate to the country.

    In its new rules, “Health and Care Workers” can no longer bring in dependants to the country.

    This was made known by the UK Home Office via its official X handle on Monday.

    The post reads, “From today, care workers entering the UK on Health and Care Worker visas can no longer bring dependants.

    “This is part of our plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in migration”.

    It would be recalled that UK has witnessed the largest entry of immigrants into the country in the last three years.

  • NLC urges FG to remove impediments to health workers’ migration

    NLC urges FG to remove impediments to health workers’ migration

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to remove impediments on healthcare workers path to migrating for greener pastures.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, made this submission at the 11th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) on Friday in Abuja.

    The theme of the Conference is “The Nigerian Health System in the Era of Economic Downturn: Challenges and Way Forward.’’

    Ajaero said that the removal of the impediments was imperative due to the unfortunate socioeconomic situation confronting workers and indeed the masses in country.

    “These have deep consequences for not just the provision of effective healthcare platforms to deliver services to those in need of its services but for the professionals or workers practicing in the sector.

    “The already poor equipment and general decay of infrastructure in the sector has worsened because of the economic situation while remuneration of workers have lagged thus unable to meet the basic needs of workers in the industry.’’

    He said that health delivery services had also gone beyond the reach of the average Nigerian further complicating an already bad situation.

    Ajaero said there were consequences to the increasing number of health care professionals and workers leaving the nation were in droves.

    He added that, it is not just in pursuit of better living standards but in pursuit of self-actualisation and job satisfaction.

    “The dearth of your members in the industry as a result of the brain drain is having serious implications for the industry’s capacity and capability to deliver quality and effective services to Nigerians.

    “That is why the NLC will continue making demands on the government for fair wages to workers in all sectors especially in critical and sensitive ones like yours; workers will always move to where they are treated better.

    “We once again demand that the government removes all the impediments it is putting on your path to migration but rather should focus on making workers in the sector enjoy better working conditions.

    “Let salaries and wages be commensurate with the cost of living; let there be functional equipment in the hospitals and let workers be treated as human beings ”he said.

    The NLC president also said the theme of the conference was not only apt but captured the objective realities that confront the Health sector.

    He said there was urgent call to engage and resolve them for the purposes of crafting a better future for the sector and Nigeria.

    Ajaero commended the union’s commitment to improving the working conditions, welfare, and rights of healthcare professionals.

    Mr Ayuba Wabba, former President of NLC, called on the Federal Government to be transparent in its activities.

    Wabba said that there should be open communication between the citizens and the government for clearer understanding of government policies.

    He also urged the union to continue to speak with one voice and remained united for the good of its members.

    Also, Dr Kabiru Minjibir, acting National President of MHWUN, said that the issue of japa syndrome was a painful aspect in the Nigeria health sector.

    Minjibir said that there were many health workers who were committed to.making sacrifices to serve their father’s land in spite of the humiliating pay structure and delivery in the country.

    The acting president said that the health workers were frustrated by the absence of the enabling work environment to fulfill their calling as professionals.

    “It is either the machine to perform basic procedure were nor working or not available,” he said.

    He said that health workers who emigrated abroad for greener pastures were hardly replaced; thus, compounding the occupational stress of the few health resources in health facilities.

    Minjibir, however, charged the incoming leadership to ensure mainstreaming of young health workers and women into its leadership cadres.

    He also urged them to develop strategies of ensuring that the existing assets of the union gave birth to other worthy assets, among others.

  • Health workers suspend 12-day strike

    Health workers suspend 12-day strike

    Health workers’ union under the umbrella of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 12-day-old strike.

    Mr Obinna Ogbonna, JOHESU National Vice President said this on Monday to newsmen.

    Ogbonna said the strike had been suspended due to the progress made during the engagement with President Bola Tinubu.

    He said the health workers called a meeting shortly after meeting with the president and decided to call off the strike and gave a 21-day timeline to the government

    “We met with President Tinubu at the villa and he pleaded with the striking health workers to give him the benefit of the doubt.

    “The president says that he will resolve the matters amicably to our own benefit and positive results,” Ogbonna said.

    According to him, the congress considered his plea and also said we should give a 21-day timeline to assess progress and commitment of state actors in resolving the issues.

    JOHESU is the umbrella body of health workers’ unions and associations, including the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and Senior Staff Association of Universities’ Teaching Hospitals Research Institutes and Associated Institutions.

    The unions’ demands include immediate approval and implementation of the Technical Committee Report on CONHESS adjustment by the federal government; immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of affected health workers in the federal health institutions and recognition of health workers in non-core hospital facilities in the payment of new hazard allowances and payment and inculcation of peculiar allowances to health workers under the JOHESU/AHPA.

    Others are immediate and unconditional implementation of the Pharmacist Consultant cadre; unconditional payment of all withheld salaries of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and April and May 2018 salaries of members at National Obstetric, Fistula centre, NOFIC, Azare, Bauchi State and speedy implementation of the increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 70 years for consultants in the health professions.

    The leadership of JOHESU had in a letter dated May 9, issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over alleged inconsistencies of the government in the ongoing negotiations to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure for health workers on their platforms.

  • President Tinubu meets with striking health workers, makes promises

    President Tinubu meets with striking health workers, makes promises

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged his administration’s commitment to the revival of the country’s health sector in order to restore public confidence.

    The president stated this while having an audience with leaders of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday in Abuja.

    While harping on the importance of health and the professionals in the sector to humanity, he promised to resolve all the challenges facing the sector for optimum performance.

    “The health sector is one with a commitment to humanity. We will resolve all the problems. Trust must be enshrined in all discussions.

    “I promise you, we will accelerate this. We will resolve all the issues. Please go back to work,” he said.

    Acting Chairman of the union, Dr Obinna Ogbonna, said that members of the union were ready to go back to work for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    Ogbonna pleaded with the president to pay attention to healthcare delivery system through investment in infrastructure and better welfare for workers so as to stop the brain drain currently plaguing the sector.

    “Mr President, now that we have assurance from the top, we are encouraged to go back and talk to our members with a view to going back to work,” he said.

    A member of JOHESU executive council, Mr Olumide Akintayo, urged the Federal Government to always respond to labour issues and nip them in the bud proactively.

    Members of the union had, on May 25, embarked on an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

    The industrial action has hampered hospital services in federal government hospitals across the country.

    The health workers are demanding for immediate approval and implementation of the technical committee report on Consolidated Health Salary Structure adjustment.

    They are also demanding for immediate payment of the omission and shortfall in the COVID-19 hazard/inducement allowances of the affected health workers in federal health institutions.

    The union is also seeking for payment of the new hazard allowance and peculiar allowance to its members, under the aegis of JOHESU/AHPA.

  • We will replace health workers that have migrated – Akeredolu

    We will replace health workers that have migrated – Akeredolu

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to enhance the health sector in the state and replace healthcare professionals who have migrated.

    Akeredolu stated this at the inauguration of Samuel and Dorcas Oladiyun Maternity Home at CAC Oke – Isegun, Ile-Oluji in Okeigbo Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor, represented at the event by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, said that his administration had prioritised healthcare in its REDEEMED Agenda and intends to consolidate on the gains made during his first term.

    A statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure, by the Public Relations Office (PRO) of the Finance Ministry, Mr Bayo Egunjobi, quotes the governor as saying “my administration will not play politics with the health of people.’’

    Akeredolu said his administration was always ready to collaborate with genuine investors in the development of the state’s health sector to provide quality health services to the people irrespective of class, age, ethnic group, religion or political affiliation.

    He promised to establish an additional School of Technology in the Southern Senatorial District of the state with a view to addressing manpower challenge at the primary health level and wider coverage.

    Akeredolu, who enumerated some achievements recorded in the sector by his administration, said that the government was constructing world-class infrastructure at the University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital at Ondo and Akure complexes.

    He added that the Mother and Child Hospital in Akure had also been upgraded and given approval to offer full range of secondary health care services.

    Akeredolu explained that Mother and Child Hospitals had been increased from two to seven to cover all the senatorial districts in the state.

    ” We approved the release of the state counterpart fund to the Federal Government – Funded Basic Healthcare Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP) for the vulnerable persons, widows, retirees, aged, women and children below the age 5 where about 20,595 residents have been enrolled and enjoying medical care,” he stated.

    Akeredolu, therefore, congratulated the donor of the health facility, Pastor Wole Adetiyun, and encourage other well-meaning sons and daughters of the state to complement government’s efforts at making health care accessible and available.

    In his words, the donor of the project to the church, Adetiyun, thanked God for making his dream of many years come to reality.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Jegun of Ile-Oluji, Oba Adetimehin Olufaderin, appreciated the donor for the project and appealed to all health workers in the3 country to be loyal, hardworking and dedicated.

  • Union lauds Tambuwal’s speedy response to proposed health workers’ strike

    Union lauds Tambuwal’s speedy response to proposed health workers’ strike

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Sokoto state chapter, has praised Gov. Aminu Tambuwal’s speedy response in stopping its proposed strike action.

    Mr Abdullahi Aliyu, its Chairman, made the commendation while briefing newsmen on the union’s position of suspending its proposed indefinite strike in Sokoto on Saturday.

    Newsmen reports that the union on Monday, after a brief meeting proposed to commence an indefinite strike on Oct.24 , over its members’ salary discrepancy.

    Aliyu said the quick response of the governor had shown his commitment towards ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services to the people of the state.

    “Yes, it is true that we have suspended our proposed  strike following the commitment of the state government to address our plight.

    “Gov. Aminu Tambuwal had approved the urgent rectification of our members salary discrepancy and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA) had made a proper commitment to that.

    “Moreover, that is our plight and as a union leaders, we cannot stand and watch our members receiving monthly payment of N8,000 or N12,000.

    “While, those appointed under the state healthcare of the same grade level were receiving a monthly salary of N80,000.

    ”This is our dispute, the gap is too wide. We want this discrepancy to be adequately addressed,” he said.

    The chairman called on the members to continue to work diligently and be more committed to the civil service rules of engagement.

    Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Chika, the Special Adviser, SSPHCDA to Tambuwal, has confirmed the development to NAN.

    Chika said, ”for the past five years, SSPHCDA has been working toward addressing the plight of the health workers from local governments when they were moved to the agency.

    “I want to tell you that we have been working with the union leaders throughout the process.

    “We did the first and second verification exercises and some of them were able to upgrade their educational qualifications.

    “Moreover, as you are aware, no civil servant in Sokoto State is paid N8,000 monthly salary, but these are people that we inherited from the LGA’s.

    “So, based on the verification exercises, we were able to save the government over N20 million, which we are very sure will address over 50 per cent of the plight of the members of the union,” Chika said.

    He added that the challenges had been fully addressed and the governor has directed the state Ministry for Local Governments to provide the needed amount to cover the discrepancy.

  • Lassa fever: NCDC registers 40 deaths, four health workers infected in January

    Lassa fever: NCDC registers 40 deaths, four health workers infected in January

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), registered 40 Lassa fever-related deaths in January, adding that four health workers were also infected following the latest outbreak of Lassa fever in the country.

    The NCDC, via its verified website, made this known on Sunday morning, saying that it is currently distributing medical response commodities to states and treatment centres.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever transmitted by rats. It has been known since the 1950s, but the virus was not identified until 1969, when two missionary nurses died from it in the town of Lassa in Nigeria.

    Found predominantly in West Africa, it has the potential to cause tens of thousands of deaths. Even after recovery, the virus remains in body fluids, including semen.

    Neighboring countries are also at risk, as the animal vector for Lassa virus, the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis) is distributed throughout the region.

    According to the agency, for January, the 40 deaths and 981 cases reported in January 2022 were across 43 local government areas in 14 states.

    The public health agency said “Cumulatively from Week 1 to Week 4, 2022, 49 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19.0 per cent.

    “In total, for 2022, 14 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 43 local government areas. Of all confirmed cases, 82% are from the following states as follows – Ondo (30%), Edo (27%) and Bauchi (25%).

    “The predominant age-group affected is 21-30 years.

    “The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021”

    The centre also noted that, “four health workers have been infected so far, 233 cases undergoing treatment, 617 cases undergoing contact tracing while 968 have been listed for follow up.”

    The agency added that the states with the suspected number of cases were; Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Benue, Oyo, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kogi, Kaduna, Katsina, Ebonyi, Plateau, Cross River, Borno, Anambra, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ogun, Kwara, Lagos, Delta, Gombe, FCT, Nasarawa, Rivers and Enugu.

    The NCDC said that Lassa fever is caused by a single stranded RNA virus and is a disseminated systemic primary viral infection.

    “The main feature of fatal illness is impaired or delayed cellular immunity leading to fulminant viraemia.

    “This is why health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever, be vigilant and look out for symptoms of Lassa fever. Not all fevers are malaria,” it added.

    The agency also reported its activation of emergency response over the virus across the country, saying activation became necessary given the increase in the number of confirmed cases across the nation.

    Since, the last outbreak of the virus in 2016, the health agency noted that there had been an increase in the number of cases in the country.

    Meanwhile in 2019, the agency stated that 796 cases were reported, while in 2020, a total of 1,165 cases were confirmed at the peak of the pandemic.

    NAN reports that the peak incident is thought to be in the dry season (January to March), but data collected in Sierra Leone shows peaks in the overlap with the wet season (May to November).

    Many infections are sub clinical; a high index of suspicion, given the difficulties of clinical diagnosis, is needed when people present with a fever of unknown origin, with symptoms appearing up to 21 days after leaving the endemic area.

    The virus is excreted in semen for three months after infection and experts do not know how frequently it may be transmitted through sexual intercourse.

    Attempts are being made to produce a vaccine using the yellow fever virus as a vehicle.

    The possibility that Lassa virus could be used as a biological weapon has raised the profile of the need for greater understanding of Lassa fever and for more effective control and treatment programmes.

  • Buhari announces `bonanza’ for Police, health workers

    Buhari announces `bonanza’ for Police, health workers

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who marked his 79th birthday in the week under review, coincidently approved a new salary structure for officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to boost their morale and productivity.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president, who marked the anniversary in Istanbul, Turkey, on Dec. 17, had also ordered the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, to release the salaries of health workers, including doctors that were seized while enforcing the no-work, no-pay policy.

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, confirmed this development when he fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja, after a closed door meeting with the president on Dec. 16.

    Earlier on Dec. 15, the president through the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, had announced the provision of a 20 per cent peculiar allowance for the police.

    He said: “I am particularly very happy today to inform Nigerians that the Federal Executive Council has approved the review and upgrading of the take home pay of police personnel in this country.’’

    According to Ngige, the approval covers members of the Joint Health Services Union (JOHESU) who went on strike in 2018.

    Buhari had marked the 79th birthday with the cutting of a birthday cake made in national colours, green-white-green, saying he would put in his best for Nigeria until the last day, when in 2023 he hands over to a successor.

    He added that he planned to return to his farm to tender crops and livestock.while enjoying his retirement from State House.

    The Nigerian leader, who was in Turkey for the 3rd Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, held bilateral meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan where he reiterated that Nigeria would partner the Republic of Turkey in dealing with the current security challenges facing the nation.

    The president acknowledged that Turkey had garnered a lot of experience dealing with security challenges of various kinds and Nigeria would latch onto that experience.

    He also called on the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit to provide concrete support to help defeat terrorism and insurgency in Africa.

    The president made the call at the third edition of the Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday.

    According to the president, the Boko Haram terrorist group, though fragmented by internal strife and degraded by Nigeria’s defence forces, is still active and preying on soft targets.

    Buhari had earlier participated in the 60th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Dec. 12, in Abuja.

    At the summit, the Nigerian leader stressed the need for ECOWAS leaders to forge stronger solidarity in order to address the new challenges, including the current third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and its Omicron variant.

    The Presidency also reacted to Sunday’s (Dec. 12) Daily Trust editorial: “Life has lost its value under Buhari’s Nigeria’’.

    It said “tackling the scourge of banditry and terrorism remains Federal Government’s first priority, as President Muhammadu Buhari holds the victims and their families in his thoughts and prayers.’’

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, described the editorial as unfair comments, saying Daily Trust’s suggestion that the president exchanges violence for the support he got electorally is beneath a publication that claims any kind of political neutrality or integrity.

    Buhari had during the week under review condoled with the family of the Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, on the demise of the highly revered traditional ruler earlier on Sunday.

    He also extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Ogun, as well as the Royal family on the passing of the Olowu of Owu kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu Amororo II.

    He also extended the sympathies of the nation to the government and people of the U.S. following devastating tornadoes ripping across six states that left destruction and deaths on their trail.

    The president also sent a get-well message to his South African counterpart, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, who tested positive for COVID-19.

    ”The coronavirus pandemic is a reality and no respecter of persons,’’ he said.

    On Dec. 14, the president hosted ECOWAS Parliament, led by the Speaker, Dr Sidie Mohammed Tunis, in the State House, Abuja, where he reiterated that Nigeria would keep pledges made to the ECOWAS Parliament and to the sub-regional body at large.

    Buhari also met behind closed door with Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba in the State House, Abuja, on Dec. 14.

    Briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting with the president, the governor stated that he briefed Buhari on the recent attack on parts of the state by Ambazonia separatists from Southern Cameroon.

    He said he requested for assistance from the Federal Government to tackle insecurity and other developmental issues in Taraba.

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also met with the president on Dec. 14, where he lauded him (Buhari) for being the architect of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline and revamping the nation oil and gas sector.

    According to him, with all the achievements being recorded by the Buhari administration, Nigerians will appreciate the president the more “after he leaves office”.

    He added that the president had done a lot for the country and many would not see that until after his tenure.

    On Dec. 15, Buhari presided over the virtual meeting of the FEC at the newly renovated Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    NAN reports that the weekly meeting approved 1.9 billion dollars for the procurement of equipment for the nation’s power sector to boost power supply across the country through the Presidential Power Initiative.

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was in Daura, Katsina State, to witness the turbaning ceremony of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari as Talban Daura and district head of Kwasarawa community on Dec. 18.

    The president, who ended the week under review on a diplomatic mission, endorsing partnerships aimed at tackling nation’s security and socio-economic challenges, congratulated the Editor-in-Chief/Chief Operating Officer of Premium Times Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, who emerged the President of the Nigeria chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).

    Buhari, in a congratulatory message issued by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, on Saturday in Abuja, also felicitated the General Manager, Business and Strategy of Media Trust Ltd., publishers of Daily Trust, Ahmed Shekarau, who was elected Secretary of IPI Nigeria.

    NAN reports that the president has since returned to Abuja after attending the Africa-Turkey Partnership Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.

  • Seven health workers land in serious trouble for diverting mosquito nets

    Seven health workers land in serious trouble for diverting mosquito nets

    No fewer than seven civil servants have been arrested over the diversion of insecticide-treated nets in Gombe State.

    The state through support from Catholic Relief Services, Global Fund, and National Malaria Elimination Programme is distributing 2.3 million insecticide-treated nets across the state.

    Confirming the arrest of the men under the employment of Kwami LGA Primary Healthcare and Billiri LGA Primary Healthcare, on Saturday, Commissioner for Health Dr. Habu Dahiru, said they were nabbed following a tip-off by residents.

    He revealed that they had diverted about 5,450 to the market to make brisk sales from unsuspecting citizens.

    Dahiru said, “A team of personnel who were charged with keeping an eye on the process to ensure that the nets do not slip into the wrong hands, were tipped by an informant that the nets were loaded in a truck in one of the markets in Gombe metropolis. This was with the sole intent of diverting them for personal aggrandizement.

    “I wish to unequivocally state that the co-conspirators arrested turned out to be four staff of Kwami LGA PHC department. A total of 100 bale’s of the items were recovered from them. Each bail contains 50 nets.”

    Dahiru added, “On the same note, state personnel was tipped up by an informant that a similar situation was unfolding in Billiri LGA. The police were informed about three staff of the PHC department, who were arrested and a total of nine bales of the nets were recovered.”

    On his part, State Head of Service, Bapayo Yahaya, said the civil servants would be placed on half salary pending the determination of their case.

    He noted that the case may warrant termination of appointments if confirmed to be true.

    “My office will suspend them and they will be on half salary. If the court finds them guilty they will be dismissed. It’s serious misconduct, actually what they have done is embarrassing too,” Yahaya said.