The federal government has made an appeal to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) to reconsider their decision to embark on strike, just as it noted that this will be detrimental to the nation, giving the recent cases of COVID-19.
Speaking on Wednesday, at a meeting of the presidential committee on salaries with the leadership of NMA and its associates, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing their demands.
Ngige stated that discussions had already begun with all the health workers since March, but disagreements with the NMA emerged over fundamental principles of negotiation with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
Ngige, in a statement through the Ministry’s Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations, Charles Akpan, expressed that the government will act on their hazard allowances if there’s money in its purse.
The minister stressed that the government out of its own volition announced COVID allowances to medical, dental workers, and other allied health professionals, which was implemented seamlessly.
“In 2020, it was not you who informed the government. It was by our own volition that we invited both sides to the meeting where we handed over special COVID allowances to medical, dental workers, and other allied health workers and we did it seamlessly.”
Ngige appealed to the health groups to work together while considering the current health challenges in the country, particularly the revived cases of coronavirus, as he noted that the federal government is working on addressing the issues before the end of September.
“I don’t know whether it was because of the fear of COVID that you worked together. Today, the divide is there. Having read the altercation between you and JOHESU, which is in the media, we can’t believe that both of you are managing one patient.
“We are appealing to you, let us unite and see how we can navigate this thing. This is the COVID-19 period. Stop this dichotomy between you and JOHESU. Both of you are managing one patient. It is teamwork. Nobody can do it alone.”
