JOHESU resorts to prayers, fasting

WORRIED about the deadlock in its discussions with government over its ongoing strike action, the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has resorted to intense praying and fasting to touch the hearts of government officials.

  A communique issue after a meeting of JOHESU and the Assembly of Health Professionals (AHPA), yesterday, members were directed to organise mass protest rallies simultaneously at their various State Capitals on Wednesday.

  ‘Members at the branches are to organise prayer and fasting on Tuesday 20th of January, 2015 over the strike that government should accede to our request so that the strike will be suspended,” the communiqué noted.

  On the Yayale Ahmed Presidential Committee’s report on disharmony in the health sector, JOHESU thanked the government for setting up this committee.

  The association said: “ Having gone through the report members observed some obnoxious areas that are not in the interest of the professional Associations and Unions.

  “The various associations/Unions were asked to submit their write up/position paper on these areas to get to the 5man committee set up by JOHESU on or before Tuesday 20th January, 2015.This committee is expected to receive the write up and collate them for onward transmission to the white paper committee set up by government on Wednesday 21st of January, 2015. JOHESU is to meet again on the 27th of January, 2015 to review various actions.”

  On the state of the nation, JOHESHU appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian soldiers in fighting the insurgents and urged President Goodluck Jonathan not to relent in tackling the insurgency once and for all and to provide adequate security to the masses especially as the nation approaches the election period.

  He said on the strike: “It would be recalled that the last meeting of JOHESU with the government was on the 22nd of December, 2014 where the government promised within 3weeks to meet with Mr. President on the issue of adjusted salary, and to look for money to convene the NCE meeting. It was observed that up till now the government had not done any thing to meet this promise. JOHESU arising from the meeting resolved that the strike should continue until government accedes to our requests.

  It was agreed that other well-meaning Nigerians should be contacted to meet with Mr. President over the ongoing strike.

  It was resolved that a letter addressed to the Honourable Minister of Labour and productivity should be written by JOHESU reminding the government that the three weeks promised made on the 22nd of December, 2014 had elapsed, requesting for the update on the various issues.

  JOHESU urged its members not to be intimidated by any action of their management or government.

 “They should remain resolute and continue with the strike until our demands are met,” JOHESU said.