By Felix Etsebomo
Nigerian workers in Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) have vehemently rejected and criticized what seem to be a move by the Federal Government to privatize public health institutions.
The National chairman of JOHESU Comrade Joy Bioblemoye, who addressed journalists during the last day of a 3day protest against the unfair labour practices in Nigeria’s health sector that ended yesterday February 13, 2019, said that the challenges facing the sector are corruption and lack of fair management in the system.
The leadership of the workers who lashed at the minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewale for withholding workers’ salaries for the months of April and May 2018, went on to say that workers would not hesitate to shut down the sector, should nothing happen after the rally by the workers.
Comrade Bioblemoye who called on President Buhari, to intervene in the matter, disclosed that over 90 percent of Chief Medical Directors of public institutions have their private hospitals. He also said that such practice lead to the rots in the system due to clash of interest.
Onward, he stated that the mass rally was to sensitize Nigerian public and government that the workers are not strike mongers.
“We are here today to sensitise the general public on the happenings in the health sector. We want the world to know that the Minister of Health professor Adewale refuse to respect court order and release our salaries for the months of April and May.
“While the court asked both parties not to do anything that can jeopardize the peace process, the minister went ahead to implement no work no pay”. He said
Furthermore, Bioblemoye asked Nigerians to hold the minister responsible should anything go wrong in the sector.
Some of the placards carried by the workers read” Adewale must go, no JOHESU, no hospital, health workers say no to corruption” among others.
