The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) has directed its members to proceed on an indefinite strike with effect from September 20, 2017, if the Federal Government failed to meet its demands.
JOHESU comprises the Medical and Health Workers of Nigeria; National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives; Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions; Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutes.
The National Chairman of the union, Biobelemoye Joy-Josiah, said during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday that the strike code-named, “Operation Alligator Bite”, was expected to be total.
Bias
The health workers alleged that the Federal Government was biased in its handling of emergent issues in the health sector with preferential treatment to medical doctors whenever they embarked on what they described as “illegal strike.”
JOHESU said the Federal Ministry of Health, which took immediate action on the strike called by doctors, snubbed their members after inviting them to a meeting on Tuesday.
He said, “We have come to hold this press conference following the snub that we received from the Federal Ministry of Health onTuesday after we were invited to a meeting.
“Less than 24 hours after we were given an invitation, we, as a people who love Nigerians and considering the importance of health to Nigerians who would want to resolve issues without embarking on strike or going through the hard way responded positively.”
