From Com. Aigbokhai Uwaifo Jeff.
The leadership of Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), Teaching/Specialist Hospitals and Federal Medical Centres Sector has called on the Federal Government to adjust the Consolidated Health Salary Structure without delay.
The call was made via a communiqué issued after a two day Quarterly Sectoral Council meeting held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife recently.
The communiqué which was made public by the Sector Chairman (THS), Comrade Ken Bassey at the meeting urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency implement the 30th September 2017 agreement on adjustment of CONHESS, which it agreed to implement to the letter within 5 weeks of signing the agreement about 6 years ago.
Council also observes the slow-paced approach in which Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health is handling this matter on CONHESS adjustment, even when the technical committee set up had successfully completed its work of preparing Federal Ministry of Health for the distribution of funds for the CONHESS adjustment to significant personnel.
The Council therefore, admonishes Government to expedite actions on this process for the subsequent approval in order to maintain industrial harmony.
He further stated that the “Council notes with dismay the rate at which Health Workers especially professionals are migrating out of the country for greener pasture (The Japa Syndrome). It is sad to reveal that most of our Health Institutions are deteriorating, conditions surrounding work place activities are not suitable, discouraging staff remunerations and inadequate consumables for health workers to work with, as well as unequal treatment within the sector by the Government and other socio-economic conditions in the country have resulted to this”. He appeal that urgent steps should be taken to rectify the situation.
Speaking further, the Sector Chairman expressed members’ displeasure over outright exclusion of Health workers from the payment of peculiar allowance which commenced in April, 2023 with three months arrears. Council wishes to state that this exclusion is totally unacceptable and it is an attempt to cause chaos in the system.
It is worthy to note that rising inflation, the rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, housing, electricity and likely removal of subsidy will not only have negative effect on those who have been paid, but also on us who are Health workers.
Council therefore, urges the Federal Government to include the Health workers for immediate implementation of this peculiar allowance so as to avoid industrial disharmony.
A copy of the communiqué made available to press men at the event in part decried continuous Monopolization of Ministerial Appointment in the Federal Ministry of Health while urging the incoming Government to review the process of selection of Ministers and Chief Executives in the Health Sector which will in turn resolve the challenges confronting the sector.
“Our Health Sector has been drastically destroyed in the last three dispensations of leadership with special regards to Ministerial appointments at the Federal Ministry of Health since 2011 to date.
Presently, Health system in Nigeria which is rated 163rd out of 191st health systems by the World Health Organization (WHO) through the machinations of the leadership of physicians stands no chance of redemption. Progress would be possible in the health sector if the President–elect comes up with a unique model of reforms which places a premium on change-agents who are not necessarily health workers to redress the pestiferous propensities in our health system as presently nurtured by physicians at the Ministry of Health, Parastatals and other Agencies.” The communiqué read in part.
While commending the Federal Government for the implementation of the new Hazard Allowance, the council urged the State Governments who are yet to implement same should do so without delay to avoid industrial unrest in the affected facilities.
The Council called for urgent reforms in the National Housing Funds (NHF) to enable workers gain easy access to the funds in order to cushion the impact of housing Deficit in the country. The Union also called on the Minister of Finance to prevail on relevant government agencies to ensure prompt release of all Third Party Deductions as such delays amounts to underpayment of salaries to workers. They further stressed on the need to for PENCOM to ensure that retirees get their benefit as and when due after retirement from service.
SSAUTHRIAI also observed with dismay the rising trend of Nigerians across the country lamenting the untold hardship in the land while calling for urgent measures by the government at all levels to mitigate the suffering which has become unbearable to Nigerians.
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