The Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHPA)-affiliated healthcare workers have suspended their ongoing indefinite strike as of Tuesday.
The choice was made following a meeting between the unions and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, the National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, who confirmed this to The Nation, said President Tinubu’s pleading, assurance, and body language persuaded the organization’s members to grant the Federal Government a 21-day deadline to start implementing some of their demands.
He Said: “We have just returned from the expanded NEC meeting. With the level of engagement from the government side, coupled with some of the indicators we have seen so far, and with our visit to the Villa to see Mr President who gave assurances that he is going to look into our issues with the mindset of resolving them, we brought the matter to the Congress.
“With all other assessments that we have made so far, and with Mr. President’s pleas, the Congress now decided that a 21-day timeline should be given to the government to activate and release some of the circulars, and implement some of those items that we have taken to the government.
“On the strength of that, the Congress now said the strike should be suspended with effects from tomorrow when the Congresses in other branches will be called.”
Members of the JOHESU and AHPA began an indefinite strike on May 25 after the administration failed to meet their demands.
The Federal Ministry of Health has been accused of treating its members unfairly and discriminatorily with regard to their welfare, including their pay and benefit packages, among other things. The JOHESU and AHPA, which represent healthcare workers but do not include medical doctors, dentists, nurses, or midwives, have filed complaints about this.
