FG bows to health workers

After series of negotiations lasting several months, the
Federal Government has acceded to demands of the Joint
Health Sector Unions & Assembly of Healthcare Professionals,
JOHESU/AHPA, for better remuneration and conditions of
service. Top among the demands is the skipping of CONHESS
10, restoration of consultancy status, abolition of the deputy
chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, and promotion of
officers from CONHESS 14 to 15 as Directors, among others.
In a statement, JOHESU/AHPA, umbrella body for nurses,
laboratory scientists, pharmacists, radiologists, among others,
issued a 30-day ultimatum for government to implement the
demands so as to avert industrial unrest. Government had
reached an agreement with the workers after a meeting on
June 5. The agreement was confirmed in a statement by heads
of the joint unions. According to the communiqué, “JOHESU/
AHPA expressed satisfaction over the circular number MH/
PM/138/VoI.111/79 of May 16, 2014 released by government
formally restoring consultancy status to other healthcare
professionals and approving the payment of specialist
allowance to deserving officers. “In furtherance to this,
JOHESU/AHPA has therefore directed that all members who
are due and satisfy the existing criteria, as upheld by the
court judgment for consultancy position apply for the
payment of the allowance with its accrued arrears with effect
from January 1, 2010 in line with the CONHESS circular
reference SWC/S/04/S.410/VoI.II/349 dated December 8,
2009.”