BY  CHIOMA OBINNA

BARELY four days to Christmas holidays, patients seeking healthcare services in public hospitals across the federation, appear to be in for a gloomy yuletide as a three-day nationwide warning strike called by the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, is expected to begin tomorrow.

The strike, described in various circles as an unwelcome threat to the fragile peace in the health sector, is being called over persistent failure of the Federal Government to accede to an agreement with members of the JOHESU.

Comprising Medical Health Workers Union, MHWUN, Non Academic Staff Union of Teaching Hospital, NASU, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, Senior Staff Association of Teaching Hospitals and Associated Institutions, SSAUTHRIAI, and Nigerian Union of Pharmacists and Medical Scientists and Professionals Allied to Medicine, NUPMTPAM,

JOHESU, had in October, 2011 issued a 21-day ultimatum which expired on the 28th of October, 2011.

The group had vowed to commence strike after the expiration of the first ultimatum in October but did not do so, rather, chose to extend the ultimatum to November 15.

Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Health Minister

On its communication with government, the group alleged failure on the part of the Minister of Health, Prof. Chukwu Onyebuchi to reconvene a larger committee to receive recommendations reached by a meeting between it (JOHESU) and Federal Government which was presided over by the Minister of Health. “Up till now, nothing had been heard from the Federal Ministry of Health, despite series of entreaties made by JOHESU to the Ministry.

In the light of this, JOHESU has resolved to embark on a three-day warning strike, beginning from Wednesday the 21st of December, 2011,to end on Friday the 23rd of December, 2011. “Therefore all members of JOHESU nationwide in all Federal health institutions are hereby directed to commence a thre-day warning strike by withdrawing their services on the three days”.

Top on the list of the demands is promotion of stagnated health care professionals on the post of deputy directors on a salary grade level 16, (CONHESS 14) to position of Director with salary grade level 17 (CONHESS 15) in accordance with the various schemes of service approved by the National council on establishment since 2000.

In a press statement jointly signed by the unions and made available to Good Health Weekly, they observed that the Federal Ministry of health had refused to implement for over 11 years now.

Other demands range from payment of specialists allowance, immediate withdrawal of the circular which seeks to downgrade health workers professionals, and harmonisation of call duty allowance amongst others.