The health professionals have insisted that the current strike action embarked upon would continue indefinitely until their demands are met.
At a meeting held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the striking health workers vowed not to resume for duty.
Addressing the health professionals, the Sector Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI) of Nigeria, M. O. Ogundipe alleged that the Federal Government was reluctant to implement all collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding and judgments in favour of the JOHESU.
The union, he said has had several meetings with government delegates on their demands stressing government went ahead to meet the demands of the doctors and abandoned that of the professionals.
“We therefore insisted that the current industrial action would continue indefinitely until all our demands are met”.
Lamenting the inadequate funding of the health sector, Ogundipe said it was glaring that “our health care delivery system is ill prepared for emergence of Ebola Viral Disease.”
While lamenting non-payment of arrears of promotions due to members of the union by the various management of tertiary hospitals, he said it was as a result of cut down in the budgetary proposals by the institutions.
On the security challenges, he called on the federal government to be alive to its responsibilities which is the security of lives and property of its citizens and do all within its capacity to quell the insurgency within the shortest possible time.
Remi Feyisipo
