Lassa Fever Outbreak Leads To Suspension Of Health Workers Strike

The outbreak of Lassa fever, Yellow fever and Polio in some parts of the state has lead the Congress of the Coalition of Health Sector Unions (COHESU), Kwara branch, to suspend its indefinite strike.

This was revealed in a statement jointly signed by Mr Joseph Adekanye, Chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and Mr Murtala Olayinka, Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Ilorin on Thursday.

The health workers had embarked on an indefinite strike across the 16 local government areas of the state on Jan. 21. The workers were agitating over the non-implementation of the 10 Consolidated Salary Structure (CONHESS) for workers.

The statement read: “The strike is suspended due to the current outbreak of Lassa fever, Yellow Fever and Polio virus in some parts of Kwara, to allow the participation of our members in efforts to curb the spread of diseases.

“That due to intervention of well-meaning stakeholders in the state, we hereby suspend the strike and our members are expected to resume work immediately with the hope that the state government will urgently address the issues that led to the strike.”

The statement further called the attention of the Kwara State Head of Service, Mrs. Susan Oluwole, to the fact that both medical bodies were recognised trade unions.

It said the unions were established under Decree 4 of 1996, with membership spread across all the tiers of governments, therefore, should be represented at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).

“That full implementation of promotion should be paid rather than being short paid as noticed in the last payment of promotion exercise.

“We also request that the pay slip be given to our members on monthly basis as health workers in the 16 local councils are not certain how their salaries are being deducted.

“That seniority list be followed in the appointments of officers into various positions and those abnormally appointed should be corrected in order to maintain sanity in the system,” it stated.

The statement also called for resolution of the issue of manpower shortage, both at the state and local government levels in the health sector.

It said there should be concerted efforts to implement the 10 per cent CONHESS for all the 16 councils health workers in the next JAAC meeting for the month of January, 2019.

The statement also appealed to the Head of Service to use her good office to mediate on the lingering issues after which COHESU will have no option than to resume the suspended strike.