By CHIDI NKWOPARA
OWERRI— Medical and health workers in Imo State have embarked on indefinite industrial action, following failure of the state government to implement agreement reached with their union. The workers are also aggrieved over the government’s decision to commercialise the health sector in the state.

The action of the health workers came on the heels of a peaceful demonstration by Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, which held the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Jerry Okoli, hostage for over three hours last Tuesday.

Addressing the medical and health workers at the State Secretariat Complex, Chairman of the Joint Health Workers Union, Dr. Darlington Akukwu, lamented that concerted effort made to reach a compromise with government to avert the strike failed woefully.

“Health care delivery is part of the social services rendered by governments worldwide, which should not be commercialized,” Akukwu said.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Obi Njoku, said “the action of the health workers was not necessary since the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has approved a new salary scale for the health workers in the state.

“The new salary table has been given to the leaders of the health workers, who assured me that they would communicate with their colleagues.”

He expressed regrets that the union leaders had already addressed the workers before attending a meeting where the new salary package was disclosed to them.