•JOHESU suspends 6-week old strike
Fred Ezeh, Abuja, with agency report
The Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has warned that it may go on strike if the Federal Government fails to facilitate the reinstatement of its sacked colleagues.
NARD Publicity and Social Secretary, Ugochukwu Eze, said this at a press conference in Kaduna, yesterday.
Eze said the 21-day ultimatum issued for the reinstatement of their sacked colleagues, by the University of Jos Teaching Hospital expired yesterday.
He said the first ultimatum issued on the matter expired on May 2, and was extended by another three weeks to give room for proper dialogue.
“At the end of the meeting held on March 27, a 30-day ultimatum was issued starting from April 2, 2018, which elapsed on May 2. Twelve days after the expiration of the ultimatum, at the Ordinary General Meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, from May 5-11, the ultimatum was extended by 21 days, to allow government effect recall of all sacked resident doctors in JUTH. It may also interest the general public to know that the members of Joint Health Sector Workers Union (JOHESU) were on strike for 44 days.
“Healthcare in the country has been anchored upon the shoulders of resident doctors, mainly (NARD), being the largest single body of doctors in Nigeria.”
According to Eze, the doctors also want government to meet up with all outstanding agreements contained in the September 6, 2017 Terms of Settlement.
Meanwhile, Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its six weeks old industrial action which crippled healthcare service delivery in government-owned hospitals nationwide. The unions said the decision was because of its sympathy for suffering Nigerians and also, to pave way for further negotiations to continue on June 4.
JOHESU President, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.