The Joint Health Sector Unions, an amalgamation of health workers in federal hospitals have threatened to embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike, if the Minister of Health, Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu is not removed from office immediately.
Unions under the JOHESU include the Medical and Health Workers Union, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Medical Scientists and professionals allied to medicine, otherwise known as Allied Health Professionals.
Briefing the public in Lagos on Wednesday at a rally organised by JOHESU, the Chairman of the MHUN, Mr. Stephen Ibe, called for the sacking of the minister, stating categorically that if their demands were not met, they would embark on a three-day industrial action.
Ibe accused the minister of sabotaging the interests of other health workers in the country through some policies, with preferential treatment reserved for medical doctors in federal institutions.
The unions also complained that the minister refused to grant them fair hearing on some grey areas contained in the National Health Bill, which is currently at the National Assembly.
According to him, “We have called our members out to inform the government that we are not comfortable with the administration of the present minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. The President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, must respect the interest of health workers.”