By  Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—STRIKING health workers in the Edo State-owned hospitals, yesterday, appealed to the people of the state, to prevail on the state government to implement the new salary structure for health workers, approved by the Federal Government.

The health workers in  the state hospitals, had penultimate week, commenced strike action after they accused the state government of alleged failure in the implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Scale, CONHESS, as approved by the Federal Government, recently.

Following the strike action, activities at public hospitals were crippled, as several patients have reportedly  lost their lives due to their inability to afford the high bills paid in private hospitals.

The executive of the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the Hospitals Management Board, who briefed newsmen on the situation so far, alleged that the state government has not been forthcoming in finding solution to the lingering crisis in the health sector.

In a statement  by Dr Stanley Ehiarimwian (Association of Resident Doctors), Dr Osagie Aiwerioghene ( Nigerian Optometric Association), Osawe Kate (National Association of Nurses and Midwives) and others, the unions  regretted that since the commencement of the strike action, the state government had insisted that they call off the strike before negotiation will commence.

The said, “JAC is aware that even in the recent ASUU crisis which incidentally involved the Comrade Governor, only after agreement was reached by both parties was the strike action called off. JAC believes negotiations can take place even while the strike action is on.

“There is no doubt that a lot of people have been seriously inconvenienced by this current industrial action and we as responsible and humane workers recognised this,” they added.

“But the situation in the health sector in Edo State is worrisome  and that is why we are appealing to our people to appeal to our government to end this strike action.

We as stakeholders would do everything within our power to save this situation because we have no other state. JAC therefore appeals to the good people of Edo State to prevail on government so that quick solution could be found.”