It seems as if the only three things that are certain in Nigeria are “Political Unrest, Night and Day and Strikes”. Nigerians all over the country are still waiting to see how the crises rocking the Educational Sector would be resolved and now we are set for another “show down” in the Health Sector as Health workers in Nigeria, under the aegis of Joint Health Sector Unions, have asked the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to comply with the order of the National Industrial Court in the interest of industrial peace in the nation’s health sector.
The President of NIC, Justice B.A. Adejumo, had in his ruling, ordered the implementation of Shift Duty, Call Duty and other allowances for members of JOHESU but dismissed their reliefs on the National Health Bill.
However, JOHESU, in a letter to Chukwu by its Chairman, Dr. Ayuba Waba; Secretary, Yusuf Badmus; and Chairperson of Joint Health Professional Association, Dr. Godswil Okara, copies of which were made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, gave the minister a 21-day ultimatum to comply with the court order “or risk a massive industrial action in the health sector.”
When contacted for his response on the threat, the Special Assistant to the Minister (Media and Communication), Mr. Dan Nwomeh told our correspondent that he had yet to see the court order.