TheNewsGuru

Tag: Health Workers

  • Gunmen kill two health workers, injure two others in Zamfara

    Gunmen kill two health workers, injure two others in Zamfara

    Two health workers attached to Makosa village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State for polio vaccine have been murdered by suspected gunmen while two others were injured.

    The two victims whose names were given as Lawali Suleiman and Aliyu Mohammed were on duty supervising a polio vaccination centre on Tuesday, when a group of armed bandits stormed the village and headed to the centre where the immunisation was taking place.

    It was gathered that the bandits stormed the village around 2.30 p.m. and headed to the Primary Health Center where the polio vaccination was going on and ordered everyone to surrender their belongings.

    According to reports, the health workers refused to surrender their handsets. This provoked the bandits and they opened fire on the health workers, killing them instantly.

    Two other persons also sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently hospitalised at Zurmi General Hospital.

    “After robbing the people of their belongings, the bandits also carted away their animals.” the source said.

    Spokesperson of the State Police Command SP Mohammed Shehu, who confirmed the incident, said that those who launched the attack are part of the recalcitrant bandits who stormed the village with the intention of committing a robbery.

    “The information we received was that the two health workers lost their lives because they didn’t surrender their handsets to the hoodlums who in turn became angry and killed them.” he said.

    He lamented the incident saying the village used to be one of the peaceful areas in the state and assured the villagers that the police would soon fish out those bandits and make them face the wrath of the law.

  • Court reinstates 894 redeployed health workers, orders refund of deducted salaries

    The National Industrial Court on Tuesday in Kano ordered the Kano State government to redeploy the 894 health workers it transferred to other agencies from the Hospital Management Board, and refund their salaries deducted for 27 months.

    The state government had on September 6, 2016, through the office of the Head of Service, redeployed the affected workers to other agencies and changed their salary structure from Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) to Harmonised Public Service Salary Structure (HAPSSS).

    Irked by the government’s action, the affected workers, under Nigerian Civil Service Union, Kano Hospital Management Board Chapter, on July 3, 2017, dragged the state government to Industrial Court, challenging the action.

    The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Surajo Ali, told the court that being employees of Kano State Hospital Management Board, they were entitled to continue to enjoy the CONHESS salary structure.

    He added that his clients, having been employed by the state Hospital Management Board and in pursuant to Hospital Management Board edict 1995, were not subjected to any circular or directives given by the Head of Service.

    “The Kano Hospital Management Board is a body established by law of Kano State, and saddled with the responsibility and powers to recruit, employ, train, transfer and promote its employees,” he said.

    He argued that the complainants were subject to transfer within the zonal office of the Kano State Hospital Management Board, and their transfer was within its powers, not the Head of Service.

    “Their transfer as a result of the circular issued by Head of Service, they were affected negatively to the effect of a transfer and posting out of Kano State Hospital Management Board and its zone.

    The plaintiffs, therefore, prayed the court to declare the circular as void and of no effect whatsoever to them.

    Delivering the judgment, Judge E. Isiele ordered the state government to redeploy the affected workers to their former station and refund all the salaries deducted for the 27 months.

    Speaking to journalists after the judgement, Mr Ali expressed happiness and satisfaction over the judgement.

    He also thanked the judge for granting five out of six of their prayers.

    However, In his remarks, the defence counsel, Mukhtar Daneji, faulted the judgement, saying they will file an appeal.

  • Cross River to sanction 54 health workers for extorting patients

    Cross River to sanction 54 health workers for extorting patients

    Fifty-four healthcare workers in Cross River State are to be sanctioned over alleged extortion of money from patients in different primary healthcare facilities across the state.

    Dr Betta Edu, the Director-General, Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made this known on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar.

    Edu told newsmen that the agency had set up a disciplinary committee to look into the petition, including absenteeism and gross misconduct of members of staff.

    She added that the committee would also checkmate the workers and punish the offenders with a view to serve as a deterrent to others.

    Edu, who did not disclose the category of sanctions for the erring workers, warned them to shun all forms of sharp practices.

    “Some of the issues at the primary healthcare level are the extortion of money under the table by charging members of the public for the services that are supposed to be free.

    “Also, the issue of workers’ absenteeism and reporting to work late are hindering the smooth delivery of healthcare services, especially at the rural areas.

    “Gov. Ben Ayade is a labour-friendly personality who has been paying workers’ salaries and rural allowances on time and as such, there is no need for sharp practices,’’ she said.

    The director-general said that the agency was looking into improving the integrated supportive supervision for members of staff with a view to ensuring that primary health care facilities were open for service accordingly.

    She advised residents in the rural communities to always report any erring health worker, who demand money from them for health services.

    Edu said that medical service delivery at the primary health care level was completely free.

  • Strike: Doctors kick against same salary structure with health workers, says ‘JOHESU is illegal’

    …warns FG not to accede to JOHESU’s demands

    Members of the Nigeria Medical Association on Tuesday warned the Federal Government against acceding to some of the demands over which other workers in the health sector have embarked on a nationwide strike.

    The doctors who specifically opposed salary adjustment and harmonization, one of the major demands of the Joint Health Staff Union (JOHESU), said acceding to the demand would precipitate a crisis that may lead to the collapse of the health sector of the country.

    JOHESU, the association of other health workers apart from medical doctors and dentists, on Monday announced its members will begin an indefinite strike from Tuesday night.

    The association had called a nationwide strike last September.

    Some of its major demands included salary adjustments, promotion arrears and improved work environment for members. On the ninth day of the September strike, the union struck a deal with government.

    But according to the union, six months after, government is yet to meet any of its demands.

    Last month, the union gave the government a 30-day ultimatum to meet the demands. That ultimatum elapses Tuesday.

    However, in what seems like rivalry among health workers in Nigeria, the doctors described JOHESU as an ‘illegal body’ and urged government to ignore its threat.

    “JOHESU is an illegal body. it is illegal because it is not registered. Just yesterday their leadership came on air to attack doctors, the strike they are planning is against medical doctors”, the NMA president, Mike Ogirima, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

    The NMA insisted it is opposed to some of the demands by JOHESU, in particular about salary harmonisation.

    Nobody is preventing them (JOHESU) from getting a salary increase. But all over the world, there is relativity package for medical workers different from other health workers.

    “In Nigeria and other countries, doctors are always at advantaged position, that is why most of these other health workers are trying by all means to get that degree called medical doctor. But we know the difference because doctors are trained in all paraphernalia of medical practice, that is why all over the world doctors have a different salary package from others”, Mr Ogirima said.

    He advised the government to thread with caution in engaging with JOHESU so as not to “allow rascality in the health sector.”

    “It is high time the government regulated the activities of this JOHESU, we are not going to fight with them, we are humane and the health of our patients is central.”

    Chiedozie Achonwa, the NMA chairman in Abuja, said medical doctors will be in the hospitals and continue to attend to patients even if JOHESU members across the nation embark on the proposed strike.

    “I think everybody is entitled to make demands for an increase in salary including JOHESU. But what the government should put into consideration is that there is an internationally accepted relativity in remuneration for health workers and that relativity must be maintained. Any attempt to distort that relativity means they want the health sector to collapse and I don’t think any of us wants that.

    “We as medical doctors are not interested in strike. We are interested in the lives of our patients and doing medical outreach,” Mr Achonwa said.
    The NMA had earlier in an open letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said doctors are not prepared to receive same salary with other health workers.

    Top on the list of issues raised in the October 3 letter was that JOHESU has no justification to demand for adjustment of salary scale as was done for CONMESS.

    Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS, is the salary structure for medical and dental officers in the federal public service while Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS, is the salary structure for pharmacists, medical laboratory, nurses and other health workers in the health sector of the federal public service.

    The National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Ogbonna Chimela on Tuesday however explained that the unions are not asking for salary harmonisation with medical doctors but for an adjusted CONHESS salary.

    Mr. Chimela gave more insight on the salary issue.

    “In 2009 the government approved the CONHESS and CONMESS salary structures, the former for medical doctors while the latter is for other health care professionals.

    “Before, medical doctors enter service on grade level 9 while the rest of us enter on 8 but after the 2009 negotiation of salary structure, medical doctors started entering service on grade level 12 while we enter at that same 8.

    “So relativity had been established at the point of entry because they spent six years in school while other health workers spend five or four years, so you can see the years of training of the both groups are different that, is why government allows doctors to enter service at grade level 12 while we enter at 8 to maintain relativity.

    “In 2014 there was an adjustment to the CONMESS salary and we are just agitating for our own to also be adjusted. So tell me if our salary is adjusted by 20 percent and we are on grade level 8, can it be the same as some one entering service on grade level 12?

    “They are thinking that we want to start asking for same quantum of salary with them, but it can never be the same because our point of entry differs because if I enter service at grade level 8, before I can get to grade level 12, I would have spent nine years in service.

    “So there is no way our paths can ever cross, they will continue to gain more until they leave service. So they are the ones that are even oppressing us, they just don’t want our own adjustment to see the light of the day,” he said.

    On the allegation that JOHESU is an illegal body, the union leader also gave an explanation.

    He said the unions that make up JOHESU in the health sector were registered by Decree 22 of 1978.

    He isted the unions as Senior Staff Associations of Universities, Teaching Hospitals and Research Institutes; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria; Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals and Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).

    Mr. Chimela said the five unions came together and formed JOHESU as an umbrella body due to constant pressure from NMA.

    “So if the parent entities are registered but because of the pressure from NMA, we now formed a pressure group, would you say it is illegal? The parent bodies are legitimately registered and known by law.”

    On Monday, the Health Minister, Isaac Adewole, said the government was already working out modalities to avert JOHESU members going on strike.

    “We are reaching out to abort the strike. Almost all demands have been met. Government is looking into remaining issues to address them comprehensively,” he said.

     

  • Health workers to commence nationwide strike

    The President of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), Mr Josiah Biobelemoye, said on Monday that the the union would commence an indefinite nationwide strike by midnight on Tuesday.

    Biobelemoye said this when he led the union executive on a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Jafaru Momoh, in his office.

    He alleged that the union members had been treated as slaves by the Minster of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

    He said that the minister failed to implement the agreement reached by the union with the Federal Government on Sept. 30, 2017 for upward adjustment of CONHESS.

    He said that the implementation of the agreement was supposed to begin five weeks after it was signed “as was done for medical doctors.”

    He said that JOHESU accounted for 95 per cent of health sector workers in the country but regretted that the union’s demands were always taken for granted.

    “We are committed to ensuring peace in the sector hence for the past three years we resisted strike but we should not be forced to withdraw the peace.

    “Help us to tell government. All we are saying is equity, justice and peace.

    “We love Nigerians and government should help us love Nigerians the more by doing the needful,” Biobelemoye said.

    The Chairman, Board of National Hospital, Abuja, Ms Patricia Etteh, appelaed to union officials to shelve its proposed strike in the interest of the people.

    Etteh urged the union to consider the plight of the masses, who always suffered more during such actions in the health sector.

    “In the event of strike in health sector, the poor always bear the burden as they cannot afford access to healthcare in private hospitals in Nigeria and abroad.

    “But the rich will not mind as a lot of them travel abroad to receive the desired healthcare services.

    “There so many ways you can embark on strike without shutting down hospitals because the masses will suffer,” she said.

    Etteh decried the poor attention by government to the nation’s health sector and welfare of health workers in the country.

    She called for greater attention to the sector and health workers, saying that they deserved prompt and priority attention by government.

    She said, “Health sector is one particular area that should receive prompt and adequate response because when the people are healthy, it will reflect on the nation’s economy.

    “If healthcare providers are not properly taken care of, they will not be able to give the desired medical attention and care to patients.”

    Etteh, who was the former Speaker of House of Representatives, urged the government to look into the requisite entry qualification of health workers in the country.

    She said that the measure would help to ensure a more efficient healthcare delivery for patients.

    She assured the union that she would channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities.

    “I plead with you to give me sometime to dialogue with the concerned ministry with regard to your demand for upward adjustment of CONHESS and other issues.

    “I believe before the close of work tomorrow (Tuesday), through the concerted efforts of all and sundry, something positive will come out from my dialogue with the Minister of Health and others.”

    Also speaking, the CMD, pleaded with the union not to withdraw emergency services in hospitals in the event of any strike.

    He assured the union members that their issues would be resolved in the shortest possible time “through divine interventions”.

  • People suffer, die when health workers go on strike- Hong

    Dr Idi Hong, the former Minister of State for Health, has advised health workers to shun strikes and embrace dialogue in addressing their demands in the interest of the health sector.

     

    Hong gave the advice in Abuja at a reception in honour of Dr Joshua Ndom-Giyan, the out-gone Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

     

    He enjoined workers to consider strikes as their last weapon to press home their demands in order to save human lives, noting that industrial action had brought untold hardship to many Nigerians especially the privileged who do not have the means to access private healthcare services in the country.

     

    “I congratulate Dr Giyan and we thank God that you have finished well, and we advise you to be there for advice and consultation where necessary. Don’t abandon the hospital.

     

    “First and foremost, I want to call on our medical colleague, please strike should be the last resort. The consequences of going on strike in hospitals is people suffering and dying.

     

    “Any day, you see that there is a strike in the hospital, go and count the casualties because of the effect of the strike.

     

    “If you have issue as labour union, please engage the management, work closely and more intensive, and avoid strike at all the time,” he said.

     

    Hong also urged Nigerians to unite in the interest of peace and national development.

     

    Also speaking, a former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, congratulated Ndom-Giyan for successful completion of his eight-year tenure as medical director.

     

    “I thank God for guiding him. I thank all the people that worked with him to ensure that he succeeded.

     

    “In fact, among medical directors that worked with me, he was among the best five and I am here to celebrate excellence,” he said.

     

    The former minister also preached unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

     

    Responding, Ndom-Giyan appreciated the guests and prayed God to bless them.

     

    He also thanked the Federal Government for appointing him twice as the medical director of the centre.

     

    The out-gone medical director described his eight years as eventful considering his modest achievements at the centre which have direct bearing on the lives of Nigerians.

     

    He listed some of the capital projects initiated and inaugurated during his tenure between April 2010 and March 2018 to include building of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Family Medicine Complex, Pharmacy Complex, Intensive Care Unit, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Complex and Sickle Cell Disease Zonal Centre.

     

    Ndom-Giyan said he also introduced the Central Information Technology and Telemedicine, NHIS Unit and C-T Scan services at the centre.

     

    Electronic Medical Records (EMR), 200 KVA solar power; new Administrative Complex, Isolation Unit and Electronic Personnel Record, among others, were also executed by him, he said.

    Police IG halts order on withdrawal of policemen attached to VIPs

     

  • Health workers to commence nationwide strike on April 7

    Health workers in Nigeria, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (AHPA), would commence an indefinite strike on April 7, 2018.

    Mr Chimele Ogbonna, Vice President of JOHESU, made the disclosure on Thursday in Jos, when he led national officials of the body on a sensitization visit to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

    Ogbonna said that the health workers had explored all avenues for an amicable settlement of the issues and were left with no other option.

    “This strike is against our wish, but the Federal Government has failed to honour series of agreements with the workers from 2009 to 2017.

    “We have given the Federal Government ultimatum of 30 working days that commenced on March 5 and will end on April 7.

    “If the agreements with JOHESU in 2009, 2014 and 2017 are not honoured, we will embark on an indefinite nationwide strike.

    “The strike will be total and affect all health institutions from federal, state and local governments,” he stated.

    The vice president listed the issues that necessitated the pending industrial action to include failure to adjust CONHESS scale, skipping of CONHESS 10, and non implementation of court judgements.

    Others, according to him, included same scale promotions aberration, promotions arrears yet unpaid since 2012, skewed appointment of Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Chairmen, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), and many others.

    He said that JUTH was chosen for the sensitization in the north central because it was considered a very strong hospital in the region..

    Ogbonna said that the workers were concerned about the effect of their action on the patients, but said that the federal government was to blame for the action.

    Dr. Edmund Banwat, JUTH CMD, who received the union leaders, however, appealed to them to reconsider their decision.

    “Labour issues are best resolved by continuous engagement and not confrontation.

    “As you continue to sensitize members, do it with a human face because the health sector deals with life.

    “Unionism in health sector is peculiar and must not be equated with other unions because life is involved.

     

  • Lopsided appointments: Health workers give 21-day strike notice to FG

    Indications emerged on Sunday that health workers under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations (AHPA) might again embark on an indefinite strike if the federal government does not meet its (the health workers) demand in three weeks.

    According to the National Chairman, JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and National Secretary, JOHESU, Comrade Ekpebor Florence the decision was taken after their Three-Day consultative meeting in Abuja where it was resolved that the federal government should urgently revisit the constitution of the membership of the boards of all the Federal Health Institutions (FHIs) as the list of members published in December 2017 seriously violates the Teaching Hospital Act which provides that a representative of health providers must be appointed on all the boards.

    The JOHESU/AHPA noted that the government did not appoint members of JOHESU/AHPA on the boards despite the fact that a formal list was sent on request, thereby, breaching one of the terms of its September 30, 2017 Terms of Settlement to redress the perennial lopsided composition of the boards of the FHIs.

    The JOHESU/AHPA lamented the delay tactics and alleged deliberate foot-dragging of the Federal Government in approving the adjustment of CONHESS scale as was done for CONMESS since January 2014 and also replicated with yet another approval for the same CONMESS in September, 2017 for the Medical Doctors.

    They resolved to reconvene after 21 days of its communication to the Federal Government if there is no positive response and declared that after 21 days with effect from Thursday last week, it might no longer be in a position to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector.

    JOHESU/AHPA appealed to its restive members for calm while the leadership appraises and monitor the resolve of the Federal Government to fully comply with the Terms of Settlement with JOHESU on September 30, 2017.

     

  • Strike continues until conclusion of negotiation talks with FG – Health workers

    Strike continues until conclusion of negotiation talks with FG – Health workers

    The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, has said it wont call off the ongoing strike until negotiations with the Federal Government have been concluded.

    The government and the unions were believed to have signed an agreement in the early hours of Wednesday after about nine hours meeting with the unions informing the government team led by the Ministers of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige and his Health counterpart, Prof. Isaac Adewole that they need to get back to their members.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports the unions are expected to return to the negotiating table with the government team on Saturday, September 30 after their National Executive Council meeting.

    In a statement made available to newsmen late Wednesday night, the unions asked its members nationwide to await further directive from the leaders, while asking state councils who were supposed to join the strike on Thursday to hold on and await further instruction.

    The statement signed by the Chairman, Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and Secretary, Florence Ekpebor reads: “As a result of the on-going negotiation between JOHESU and the Federal Government, the leadership of JOHESU wish to inform all members that negotiation is on-going and the strike continues nationwide in all Federal Health Institutions and further directives will be given after meeting with Federal Government on Saturday, 30th September, 2017.

    “In the light of the above, state councils are further directed to put on hold the commencement of their strike initially billed for Thursday, 28th of September, 2017 due to the on-going talks.

    “JOHESU commends members nationwide for their steadfastness and we hope that government will seize this opportunity to effectively meet our demands in order to shorten the life span of the strike.”

     

  • UBTH health workers joins nationwide strike

    …We are running services says mgt

    From Michael Egbejule, Benin City.

    As the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) nationwide strike commences shutting down public hospitals, management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has said the hospital remains open and rendering clinical services to patients despite the national industrial disharmony.

    A statement made available to newsmen by UBTH Head of Information Unit, Uwaila Joshua said the tertiary health institution is open and providing services in the interest of patients.

    “The University of Benin Teaching Hospital is still the clinics are open and running and rendering health services to its patients. Some of our staff have reported to duty and are attending to patients to the best of my knowledge.” Uwaila said.

    However, Vice -chairman,Medical Health Workers Union (MHWU) UBTH Branch, Comrade Uche Ngozi and President National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) UBTH Branch, Comrade Austin Osigbemhe in separate interview with our correspondent said it members, particularly nurses have since today Thursday embarked on total strike following the national directive and vowed to sustain the action until the federal government meet their demands.

    When the TheNewsGuru.com visited the hospital, some health workers were seen in clusters discussing the situation while others were absent from their duty post, a situation that partially disrupted official and medical services at the UBTH.

    The UBTH staff Creche play centre providing services for children of nursing mothers was also closed as some of the caregivers were absent from work while those present turned back parents and their children back home citing the strike by JOHESU.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU had on Monday announced that it will commence its nationwide with from Thursday.

    Chairman of the Union, Mr. Biobelemoye Josiah, who announced this on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State noted that the JOHETSU had earlier issued a seven-day ultimatum on September 14, 2017, to again draw the attention of the government to their demands but no meaningful action was taken.

    He said, “This lackadaisical attitude of the government has necessitated the resolve of JOHESU to call out all our members nationwide to withdraw their services and stay at home with effect from midnight of today (Wednesday) even after waiting patiently until this hour on the approval for adjustments of CONHESS.