Health workers under the aegis of the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (AHPA) have suspended their indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday.
The Nation reports the decision was taken after the unions’ meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The National Vice Chairman of JOHESU, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, who confirmed it explained that the plea, assurance and body language of President Tinubu convinced its members to give a 21-day timeline to the Federal Government to begin implementation of some of their demands.
According to him: “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.”
On May 25, members of the JOHESU and AHPA embarked on an indefinite strike following the failure of the government to address their demands.
The JOHESU and AHPA, which comprise healthcare workers, excluding medical doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives, complained about the unfair treatment and discrimination of its members by the Federal Ministry of Health, with regard to their welfare, including wages and benefit packages, among others.
