By Chidi Nkwopara

OWERRI—Barely 24 hours after the Imo State Branch of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, made some demands on the state government, the Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, after an emergency meeting in Owerri, condemned the proposed concessioning of general hospitals and health centres by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Gov. Okorocha

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the JOHESU Chairman, Mr. Francis Nzenwata, argued that the concessioning of health centres, which is the first line of primary healthcare delivery, is patently wrong.

“Concession relates to profit maximization, which is inimical to quality. Healthcare provided by health centres is a social responsibility of government, which should not be profit-oriented,” Nzenwata said.

JOHESU also warned that unless extant layout laws and rules were strictly observed in the process, the welfare of its members would be jeopardized.

The labour leader was particularly irked that Okorocha failed to discuss the proposal with the organized labour and the related industrial unions.

“Government is advised to drop the idea of the planned concession of General Hospitals and Health Centres, as it will increase maternal and child morbidity and lead to out-break of communicable diseases,” Nzenwata said.