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Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/200910060254.html
Nigeria: FG Moves to Avert Health Workers' Strike
Ruby Rabiu
6 October 2009
The federal government is making frantic efforts to avert a strike action by the health workers who are planning to commence the action today.Health Minister Professor Babatunde Osotimehin said that several meetings and negotiations are going on to try to engage the union in fruitful deliberation which he expressed optimism would eventually avert a strike action.
Osotimehin added that the government will do everything possible to stop the strike as lives of many Nigerians would be endangered if the action commences.
Osotimehin made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the launch for the Global Child Survival programme and the flag off of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health week.
He assured that the ministry was walking round the clock to forestall a strike in the health sector. "We are busy negotiating with the union so that they don't have to go on strike" he said.
Speaking on the recent outbreak of cholera in Adamawa and Jigawa states, Osotimehin debunked rumours that a strange illness has invaded the states.
The minister who called for calm added that what the states have witnessed was an outbreak of cholera.
He said that the ministry has sent medicines to aid the states where cases of the disease had been recorded.
According to him the outbreak took some lives because the health workers could not quickly diagnose the ailment which he said was quite unfortunate.
His Words: "We have moved in with drugs and every required support to the states where cases of the diseases have been reported".
It would be recalled that the union of health workers had given the government a seven day notice which begun on September 30 and expires on October 6th.
The union includes the medical and health worker union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).
Others are Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Profession Allied to Medicine (NUPMTPAM) and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
They are pushing for a action because the federal government had released a circular adder addressing the demands of doctor alone.
The president of MHWUN, Wabba Ayuba told journalist that the trend was worrisome as according to him, 'this is unfortunate because this is the first time a salary scale table is released by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission addressing only the concern of only medical and dental practitioners.
Nigeria: FG Moves to Avert Health Workers' Strike
Ruby Rabiu
6 October 2009
The federal government is making frantic efforts to avert a strike action by the health workers who are planning to commence the action today.Health Minister Professor Babatunde Osotimehin said that several meetings and negotiations are going on to try to engage the union in fruitful deliberation which he expressed optimism would eventually avert a strike action.
Osotimehin added that the government will do everything possible to stop the strike as lives of many Nigerians would be endangered if the action commences.
Osotimehin made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the launch for the Global Child Survival programme and the flag off of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health week.
He assured that the ministry was walking round the clock to forestall a strike in the health sector. "We are busy negotiating with the union so that they don't have to go on strike" he said.
Speaking on the recent outbreak of cholera in Adamawa and Jigawa states, Osotimehin debunked rumours that a strange illness has invaded the states.
The minister who called for calm added that what the states have witnessed was an outbreak of cholera.
He said that the ministry has sent medicines to aid the states where cases of the disease had been recorded.
According to him the outbreak took some lives because the health workers could not quickly diagnose the ailment which he said was quite unfortunate.
His Words: "We have moved in with drugs and every required support to the states where cases of the diseases have been reported".
It would be recalled that the union of health workers had given the government a seven day notice which begun on September 30 and expires on October 6th.
The union includes the medical and health worker union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).
Others are Nigerian Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologists and Profession Allied to Medicine (NUPMTPAM) and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU).
They are pushing for a action because the federal government had released a circular adder addressing the demands of doctor alone.
The president of MHWUN, Wabba Ayuba told journalist that the trend was worrisome as according to him, 'this is unfortunate because this is the first time a salary scale table is released by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission addressing only the concern of only medical and dental practitioners.
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